California School Public Relations Association

California School Public Relations Association The California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA) is a nationally recognized leader in school communications.

California School Public Relations Association is an award-winning, nationally recognized organization of education public relations professionals, administrators, and school personnel who have full or part-time responsibility for communications. CALSPRA is working to create a climate for better public understanding, commitment and support of public education.

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big im...
06/17/2026

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big impact. This month, we have the honor of introducing you to each one of these Rising Stars and sharing a little more about them. 🌟

Meet Dr. Ana Farina, Director of Communications, Community Engagement, and College Readiness for Vacaville Unified School District! ✨

Ana knows that the most powerful storytelling comes from the heart. This past year, she poured her passion into creating a deeply personal retirement video tribute for Superintendent Ed Santopadre — the very principal who hired her 13 years ago! To honor "Mr. Vacaville," Ana thoughtfully crafted a message that perfectly captured his legacy, creating an emotional and meaningful tribute for the entire community. 🎥❤️

Her tip for anyone new to school PR? "Keep learning, keep swimming, and take time to reflect." This work moves fast, but staying curious and pausing to reflect on what worked builds your confidence and skills over time.

When she is not telling the story of Vacaville USD, Ana loves to slow things down by traveling, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends. She also loves the energy of live music, so you can often find her letting loose at a concert and hitting the dance floor! 🎶💃

Join us in congratulating Ana in the comments below. Her Rising Star Award is well deserved, and we are thrilled to have her as part of the CalSPRA community! 🙌🎉

Please join us in sending a huge congratulations to Travis Souders, APR, on earning his Accreditation in Public Relation...
06/16/2026

Please join us in sending a huge congratulations to Travis Souders, APR, on earning his Accreditation in Public Relations! 🌟🎉

Earning an APR is a rigorous milestone that represents a deep mastery of public relations strategy, ethical leadership, and community-centered communication. It is one of the highest distinctions in our field, and we are incredibly proud to have Travis leading the way with this credential. 👏

Thinking about taking the next step in your professional journey? There is still time to lock in current pricing before the Universal Accreditation Board's fee increase on July 1, 2026.

👉 Learn more about the process and find support resources at www.calspra.org/apr.

Sacramento is moving fast on a wave of bills that will soon shift daily school operations, communications, and complianc...
06/16/2026

Sacramento is moving fast on a wave of bills that will soon shift daily school operations, communications, and compliance requirements across California. 🏛️

To help school communicators stay ahead of the local narrative, the CalSPRA Legislative Analysis Workgroup (CLAW) has released its inaugural legislative brief. This plain-language guide bypasses the legal jargon to look at what these bills mean for our classrooms and the specific questions our families will be asking.

Equip yourself and your leadership teams with the vital context needed to answer the tough questions your community will soon be asking.

📄 Download the resource at https://trst.in/lW8Eap

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big im...
06/15/2026

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big impact. This month, we have the honor of introducing you to each one of these Rising Stars and sharing a little more about them.

Meet Christine Stephens from Redlands Unified School District!

Christine knows that great school PR is about building real community connections. For the third year in a row, she has coordinated a full-day experience with the Redlands Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, bringing community members inside their schools to see students and staff in action, tour facilities, and even sample meals from Child Nutrition Services. It has become a beloved tradition that turns community partners into true district champions.

Her tip for anyone new to school PR? Build relationships before you need them. Trust is the foundation of great communication, and you do not have to have all the answers right away. Stay curious, ask questions, and keep growing.

When she is not connecting Redlands USD with its community, Christine is recharging with her family, cooking up Filipino food or a seafood boil, solving crossword puzzles, or settling in for some Abbott Elementary or Real Housewives. A woman of excellent taste!

Join us in congratulating Christine in the comments below. Her Rising Star Award is well deserved, and we are thrilled to have her as part of the CalSPRA community!

Yesterday, Northern California school PR pros gathered virtually for the CalSPRA NorCal Regional Meetup to connect and r...
06/13/2026

Yesterday, Northern California school PR pros gathered virtually for the CalSPRA NorCal Regional Meetup to connect and recharge after a busy school year! 💻✨

During the meetup, participants celebrated the incredible work happening across the region — from helping new superintendents establish positive starts to launching major website redesigns, producing emotionally powerful storytelling videos, and stepping into new leadership roles. Now, members turn their focus to summer projects, strategic planning, and preparation for another great year ahead! ☀️

Thanks to everyone who joined the conversation, and a special shoutout to Northern California Regional Chair Dan Dougherty, APR, and Assistant Regional Chair Eric Wittmershaus for organizing this fantastic opportunity for members to connect! 🙌🎉

Big news — we have a brand-new APR in our ranks! Please join us in congratulating Charmin Ortega, APR, of Castaic Union ...
06/12/2026

Big news — we have a brand-new APR in our ranks! Please join us in congratulating Charmin Ortega, APR, of Castaic Union School District! 🌟

Earning an APR is one of the highest achievements in public relations. It represents a deep mastery of strategy, ethics, and community-centered communication. We are so proud of you, Charmin! 👏

👉️ Read more about what it takes to earn this distinction and find resources to start your own accreditation journey at www.calspra.org/apr.

06/11/2026

How is your LEA navigating the world of AI? 🤖 In our latest CalSPRA Connect Podcast episode, Irvine USD's Annie Brown joins CalSPRA President Sundeep Dosanjh to talk all things AI Workgroup. Discover how we're helping school PR pros integrate AI tools safely, ethically, and effectively to save time and expand their reach!

📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/FIQrfYuPsb8
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/075Vvs2njjPo4aRyEIRJbE?si=wp2MOZAsQ8uJ6-rvJI2lCQ

As a reminder, the CalSPRA podcast returns for the 2026-27 school year. Subscribe today so you don't miss our return.

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big im...
06/11/2026

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big impact. This month, we have the honor of introducing you to each one and sharing a little more about them.

Meet Diana Bouchaaya from Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District!

Diana believes that when communication is clear and accessible, communities get stronger. So when it was time to reimagine the SMMUSD website, she jumped in. The goal was simple: make it easier for families, staff, and community members to find what they need and feel welcome when they get there. The response after launch? Positive feedback and increased engagement. That is the power of getting communication right.

Her tip for anyone new to school PR? Relationships are everything. Listen first, build trust, and stay flexible because you never know what the day is going to bring!

Off the clock, you can find Diana at the beach, out on a hike, or exploring museums around LA with her needy Rottweiler, Yogi Bear. 🐾 A first-generation college graduate raised by immigrant parents, she brings a lot of heart and purpose to this work.

Join us in congratulating Diana in the comments below. Her Rising Star Award is well deserved, and we are thrilled to have her as part of the CalSPRA community!

We're thrilled to share our next CalSPRA Member Spotlight: Zack Jordan, Coordinator of Communications at the Lake County...
06/11/2026

We're thrilled to share our next CalSPRA Member Spotlight: Zack Jordan, Coordinator of Communications at the Lake County Office of Education! 🌟

As a one-person communications team, Zack truly does it all — managing press releases, social media, countywide initiatives, and more for the county office of education, its SELPA, and a local school district. His work shows just how powerful a solo shop can be.

And he doesn’t stop there — Zack also serves as CalSPRA’s Mentor Program Chair, helping communicators across the state grow stronger. 🚀🤝

👉️ Read the full interview: https://trst.in/lVLMYs

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big im...
06/09/2026

Every year, CalSPRA honors school communication professionals who are newer to the field but are already making a big impact. This month, we have the honor of introducing you to each one and sharing a little more about them.

Meet Renee Balderas from Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District!

Renee has a gift for finding the stories that matter and sharing them in ways that move people. This past year, she helped tell the story of Mrs. Mellin, a middle school band director committed to making music accessible for every student. The result? A video that reached over 212,000 accounts on Instagram, earned more than 31,500 likes, and was shared over 4,400 times. It even caught the attention of college professors across the country. All from a small TK-8 district with a big heart for storytelling.

Renee recently experienced firsthand the impact of storytelling through the TK video series following Joshua's journey throughout the school year. After sharing his story, Joshua's family presented her with a puzzle piece that read, "Thank you for being such an important piece of my story.”

Renee's tip for new school PR professionals? Start now and use what you have. Your cell phone is enough. Authentic stories of real moments build real connections, and before long, story ideas will start finding their way to you.

When she is not telling stories for Dry Creek, Renee and her husband explore local coffee shops, catch a movie, or head to South Lake Tahoe or Disneyland. Yes, she is a proud Disney adult! 🏰

Congratulations, Renee, on your well-deserved Rising Star award. We’re so glad you’re part of our CalSPRA community. Help us celebrate Renee in the comments below!

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