Administration

Leah Lauderdale, APR, CPRC
Senior Director of Strategic Communications/Community Relations

Kim Johnson
Senior Director's Secretary
534-0698

 

Web Banners

To submit your good news to share on the web banners, please contact the Department of Strategic Communications/Community Relations at goodnews@polk-fl.net.

The Core

Click here to view the April issue of The Core.
Click here to view the March issue of The Core.
Click here to view the January/February issue of The Core.
Click here to view the December issue of The Core.
Click here to view the November issue of The Core.
Click here to view the October issue of The Core.
Click here to view the September issue of The Core.
Click here to view the August issue of The Core.
Click here to view the July issue of The Core.

Monday Memo

Click here to view the Monday Memo from May 13, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from May 6, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from April 29, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from April 22, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from April 15, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from April 8, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from March 18, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from March 11, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from March 4, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from February 25, 2013
Click here to view the (Almost) Monday Memo from February 19, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from February 11, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from February 4, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from January 28, 2013
Click here to view the (Almost) Monday Memo from January 22, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from January 14, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from January 7, 2013
Click here to view the Monday Memo from December 17, 2012
Click here to view the Monday Memo from December 10, 2012
Click here to view the Monday Memo from December 3, 2012

Meeting Morsels

Click here to view Meeting Morsels from November 13, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from October 23, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from September 4, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from August 21, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from July 31, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from June 26, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from June 12, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from June 6, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from May 22, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from April 24, 2012.
Click here to view Meeting Morsels from April 10, 2012.

Public Relations

Our goal is to provide members of our community with up-to-the-minute news and information on public schools in Polk County.

Staff List

All phone number area codes are 863

Name: Title and Responsibility: Phone:
Julie Togba Public Relations/Marketing Analyst
Responsibilities: writing, editing, internal & external communications, media relations
534-0604
Teresa Griffin Communications Specialist
Responsibilities: special events coordination, media relations support
519-8713
Tia Rigsby Communications Specialist
Responsibilities: management & updates of CR website, graphic design, publications, media relations support
519-8713
Elaine Chandler Sr. Switchboard Operator 534-0500
Reta Jackson Assistant PBX Operator/Receptionist 534-0500

Community Involvement

Welcome to the Community Involvement homepage of the Community Relations Department. Here you will find a variety of information on how you can start getting involved in public education as a business or community organization. Please browse our site and contact us with any questions you might have.

Staff List

Name: Title: Phone:
Margaret Anne Wheeler Senior Coordinator of Community Involvement 534-0636
Rebecca Keener Clerk, Community Involvement 534-0818

Broadcast Communications

Our goal is to provide the citizens of Polk County with a quality source of news and information about the programs and services offered by the Polk County School Board. We welcome your input as we continue to develop this valuable communications tool as a link between homes and schools.

Staff List

Name: Title and Responsibilities: Phone:
Mike Brown Media Production Analyst
Responsibilities: broadcast communications, media production supervision, audio/video design, technical support
534-0686
Darby Dowdy Media Production Specialist
Responsibilities: media production, audio/video support, technical support, media relations support
534-0699
Tiffany Ellis Communications Specialist
Responsibilities: media production, audio/video design, audio/video support, technical support, media relations support
534-0604

Awards and Distinctions

It is an honor for the Department of Community Relations to be recognized for the quality of our work. The programs and projects on this page are representative of the good work that the PCSB Department of Community Relations produces daily with the united goal of providing rigorous, results-driven educational opportunities for Polk students.

2011 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ First Place, Brand Campaign

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the 2011 Polk County Public Schools Good News Campaign.

2011 Image Award ~ Grand All Image Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the design, production and creative elements of the 2011 Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year Event.

2011 Image Award ~ Judges' Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the design, production and creative elements of the 2011 Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year Event.

2011 Image Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the design, production and creative elements of the 2011 Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year Event.

2011 Image Award ~ Grand Image Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the 2011 Teacher Appreciation PSA's.

2011 Image Award ~ Judges' Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the 2011 Teacher Appreciation PSA's.

2011 Image Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the 2011 Teacher Appreciation PSA's.

2010 John Dillin Professional Award ~ Leah Lauderdale, APR, CPRC

The John Dillin Professional Award for service to the Florida Public Relations Association has been established as the highest, most prestigious award of the Association.

2010 Image Award ~ Judges'Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the 2009 Teacher Appreciation PSA's.

2010 Image Award

Presented by the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). For the Give 'Em Something To Talk About Audio/Visual Public Relations Presentation.

2009 IPAF Silver Addy Award

Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For a poster campaign discouraging the use of cell phones and electronic games in schools.

2008 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ Best in Show, Large District

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the 2008 Polk County "I Teach" video public service announcements commemorating teacher appreciation week.

2008 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ 1st Place, Large District

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the 2008 Leadership Lakeland Education Day event.

2008 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ 1st Place, Large District

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the 2008 Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year recognition program.

2008 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ 1st Place, Large District

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the 2008 Polk County "I Teach" video public service announcements commemorating teacher appreciation week.

2008 IPAF Silver Addy Award

Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For a TV campaign designed for Teacher Appreciation Week

2008 IPAF Silver Addy Award

Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For a digitally enhanced photography used in the Leadership Lakeland Alumni Education Presentation

2007 Florida Public Relations Association ~ Judges' Award, State Level

For the "I Teach" video and poster campaign to commemorate 2007 Teacher Appreciation Week.

2007 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ 1st Place, Large District

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the "Zero Tolerance" anti-expulsion poster campaign that resulted in a 20% decrease in the number of weapons-related expulsions in our district.

2007 Sunshine Medallion Award ~ 1st Place, Large District

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. The second year in a row our district's annual report has received accolades as a public relations tool.

2007 IPAF Gold Addy Award

Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For a poster series designed for Teacher Appreciation Week.

2007 IPAF Silver Addy Award

Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For event materials created for the 2007 Teacher of the Year Campaign.

2007 IPAF Silver Addy Award

Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For the logo design of Sleepy Hill Elementary.

2006 Adele Graham Award

Presented by the Florida Association of Partners In Education to Community Involvement Coordinator Margaret Anne Wheeler for significant service to the Florida School Volunteer Program.

2006 Sunshine Medallion Award

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the district's annual report as public relations tool.

2006 Sunshine Medallion Award

Presented by the Sunshine State School Public Relations Association. For the "Where's Sam?" Florida/Polk County Teacher of the Year Campaign.

2006 IPAF Silver Addy Award

Presented by the Polk Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. For an invitation designed for the ribbon cutting of Chain of Lakes Elementary