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PUBLIC INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Director of Communications/PIO
Karolyn Gephart
<kgephart@fisdk12.net>
281-482-1267
302 Laurel
Fax: 281-992-1059
AWARDS

The Communications / Office of Public Information is committed to facilitating superior communication within the district and the community.
Our team recognizes its responsibility to take a leadership role in educational stewardship by promoting community awareness, initiating participation and increasing community involvement.

Public Information Requests under the Public Information Act:
If you have a request for open records, please print the form below and return to FISD by fax (281-996-2513), by email (kgephart@fisdk12.net) or in person at 302 Laurel Drive. For information about the Public Information Act click here.
Open Records Request form pdf

Flyer Request:
Please read the flyer request policy.
Fill out a request form and return to the Public Information Office by fax (281-996-2513), by email (kgephart@fisdk12.net) or in person at 302 Laurel Drive.
Flyer Request Form pdf
 
 

Contacts:
Karolyn Gephart, Director of Communications/PIO
281-482-1267
kgephart@fisdk12.net

Jolly Ayrhart, Webmaster (Cline)
Assistant to the Director
281-482-1267
jayrhart@fisdk12.net

Jane Ann Quevedo, Webmaster (Distict, FHS, Westwood)
jaquevedo@fisdk12.net

Joe Perez, Media Specialist, Videographer & TV Station Mgr
281-482-1267
jperez@fisdk12.net

FISD Administration Building
302 Laurel Drive
Friendswood, Texas
Business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

By Mail
Friendswood ISD Office of Public Information
302 Laurel Drive
Friendswood, Texas

By Phone
(281) 482-1267

By Facsimile
(281) 996-2513


News and Publications:
- The Outlook
- A hard copy news publication for the Friendswood Independent School District community
- The eLOOK - an electronic newsletter for staff and community that comes out weekly and is sent to all who subscribe on the homepage at www.fisdk12.net
- Board Reports - an electronic summary of actions by the Friendswood Independent School District Board of Trustees
- What's Happening in Friendswood Independent School District - news and information online located at the website www.fisdk12.net
- Weekly column: Houston Chronicle (Thursdays)
- Weekly coverage in Friendswood Reporter News & Friendswood Journal
- Weekly coverage on Education page in the Galveston Daily News along with guest columns.
* News Links - links to other news and media sites on the FISD website at www.fisdk12.net


Additional Support Services:

Emergency Communications
- In the event of an area disaster or emergency, district staff and the public can call the Public Information Office at (281) 482-1267.
- Emergency information and updates are also available via the web. www.fisdk12.net
- The website will be continuously updated when more news or updates are available.

Web Based Communications
* Create and maintain web pages for the Friendswood Independent School District web site
* Provide information for faculty and staff
* Answer patrons' questions/concerns via district website

Video and Graphics Support
- Graphic art support to schools and departments throughout the district.
- Graphic support in the planning and execution of district events and activities as well as brochures, pamphlets, flyers.
- Videotaping of a variety of district activities
- Video production services and editing

Media Relations
- Serve as district spokesperson to address media inquiries
- Issue press releases on Friendswood Independent School District programs, student achievement, and current issues
- Facilitate reporters' access to requested information and coordinate press conferences
- Coordinate information flow to the news media in crisis situations
- Assisting schools/departments with local communication efforts, including press releases, publications, campus newsletters, parent letters, and event promotion
- Annual Staff Service Awards Program and Luncheon
- Annual Teacher of the Year Program
- Partnership Appreciation events
- New school dedication ceremonies
- Bond Referendum information campaigns

Major events from which funds are raised include:
* Education Foundation Gala - This annual event raises money for grants and the endowment fund.

2008-2009

STATE AWARDS
Texas School Public Relation Assoc. (TSPRA) Star Awards:
22 Gold Stars, one Silver Star, four Best of Category medals and a Crystal Commendation Award.

Gold Stars
flyer, ISD booklet, Foundation booklet, calendar, four invitations, two posters, holiday cards, image/identity package, logo/trademark/symbol, original art, news information video, two news release/news package videos, documentary video, promotional marketing video, training/instructional video, electronic newsletter, and the website.

Silver Star was given for an invitation from the Foundation.

Best of Category medal in Flyer
Three Best of Category medals for videos: news information video, news release/news package video and documentary video.

Crystal Commendation Award
in Foundation Annual Campaign for the reorganization and redirection of the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation.

3 Emmy Awards
Joe Perez, media specialist and videographer, has won three Emmy Awards! The Emmy is part of the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Three of his videos (two made this year in Friendswood ISD) won.

In the category of Documentary/Historical/Cultural Category, Building a Foundation from Friendswood ISD by Joe Perez, Videographer/Editor won. The video was created for the convocation into the new 2008-2009 school year and centered around the heritage of teachers and how times have changed but the mission to make students successful in life remains the same.

In Sports Category, Return to Win from Friendswood ISD by Joe Perez, Videographer/Editor, won. The video features the Varsity Mustang Football players from 35 years ago who still hold the FISD record for being State Champions. The returning players share the joy they still feel about working toward a goal that took them to the top in the State.          

In Arts / Entertainment Category, What's Cooking! The Culinary Arts Program at Clear Springs High School filmed while at Clear Creek Independent School District by Joe Perez, Videographer/Editor, won.  The video shows culinary arts in action, similar to a food network segment. The program is a cutting edge opportunity for students and the video showcases what it offers.

In total, Joe Perez has been awarded eight Emmys by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

NATIONAL AWARDS:

National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Awards

NSPRA's Publications and Electronic Media Awards program recognizes outstanding education publications and electronic media programs - radio/TV/cable, Internet web sites, slide productions and videotape.
        
Four awards were presented the FISD Communications Department.
FISD’s Cyber Safety Night For Parents poster won the top award, the Award of Excellence in the category of Special Purpose Publication. The poster was designed and created by Media Specialist Joe Perez.

Two awards of Merit in Video/Audio Program and Presentation were given to Perez for videos prepared during the 2008-2009 school year.

Honorable Mention at the national level in the category of Electronic Newsletter, e-zine, and other electronic communication was awarded to the eLOOK, FISD’s electronic weekly newsletter.

2009-2010

State Awards
23 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) awards including a Crystal Commendation, a Best of Category Gold Medal, 17 Gold Stars and 4 Silver Stars awards for excellence in school communications.

The Friendswood ISD Education Foundation won two Gold Star awards.

Crystal Commendation:
for distinguished achievement in the category of School/Community Partnership
Best of Category medal and certificate for Bus Drivers Needed Flyer.

Gold Stars 
Facts About Friendswood ISD in the Booklets category; The Dollar in the Brochure category; Super SciTech in the Poster category; Cyber Safety Night for Parents in the Poster category; CAN you come in the Invitations/Announcements category; Frame Shop Holiday in the Flyers category; Bus Drivers Needed in the Flyers category; Let’s Picnic (Service Pin, Retirement Luncheon in the Image Identity Package category; Women Who Wear Many Hats in the Image Identity Package category; Women Who Wear Many Hats Luncheon in the Programs category; the Outlook in the External Newsletter category; Friendswood High School Football Highlights in Live Video category; Friendswood Promo in Video Promotional/Marketing category; Knit One, Save One in Video News Release Packages category; and the Calendar in the Calendar category.

The FISD Education Foundation won two Gold Stars in True Blue Evening program In the Programs category and Education Foundation/Alumni Association Football Program ad in the Published Printed Ad category.

Silver Stars
Return to Win in the Video Special Interest Feature category; eLOOK in the Electronic Newsletter category; Helping Hands Garden Ad in the Published Print Ad category; and www.fisdk12.net in the Websites category.