FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2003

HPEDSB wins national awards for excellence in communications
We are excited to announce that two communications and marketing projects from the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board have been awarded national awards through the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE). The two projects—the 2001–2002 Director’s Annual Report, and a marketing package for the International Student Program—won Awards of Distinction in the BRAVO! Awards program.

“It is an honour to receive these awards from the national organization. I am very proud of the staff who produced these marketing pieces. It is evidence of the great work we do at the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board,“ says Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board.

Awards were presented at the annual CACE conference held this year in Kingston, from November 2 to 4, at the Four Points Sheraton.

“There were a lot of great entries this year, so I was thrilled when I learned that our entries won the equivalent of a silver medal,” remarks Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer. “All of the production from concept to print-ready status was done in-house, so these awards really mean a lot,” she adds.

To recognize excellence in educational communications, the CACE BRAVO! Awards program honours the exemplary accomplishments of individuals or organizations working in education-related communications or media. BRAVO! Awards of Excellence, Distinction and Merit are presented annually at the CACE conference. Excellence is equivalent to gold, Distinction to silver, and Merit to bronze.

Entries are judged by an independent panel of communications professionals based on the following criteria:
• Quality of the work
• Clarity of goals and objectives
• Use of imagination and innovation
• Portion of the work completed in-house

We received two certificates recognizing our Award of Distinction. Each will be framed and displayed in the Director’s Office.

The theme for this year’s conference was Rock Solid Communications. It was promoted as a national conference that will focus on the issues that all communicators are facing, by using Real Situations, Reliable Strategies, with the Right Solutions.

Over 100 delegates from BC to Newfoundland and Labrador attended, with a mix of communications professionals from school boards, teachers' associations and other
provincial organizations, and school trustees.

Information on the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education
CACE is a national association of professionals committed to encouraging and enhancing excellence in communications in education. CACE is a bilingual organization offering a national conference, regional workshops and networking opportunities for its members across Canada.

CACE members come from school boards and school board associations, departments and ministries of education, teachers' unions, federations and other governmental agencies. Expertise and experience ranges from veterans of over 25 years to newcomers in the field. CACE is directed by a volunteer board of directors, elected annually from within its membership.

Working together, CACE members increase awareness and understanding of the important management role played by communicators in education. CACE establishes and maintains standards and promotes a code of ethics to contribute to improved communication policies and practices in education.

For more information, contact:
• KERRY DONNELL, Communications Officer, 966-1170, extension 2354
• JUDY EDGAR, Chair of the Board, (613) 921-3203