Public relations - get noticed!

NEA's Read Across America is the perfect occasion to spark community involvement and showcase the great job your school is doing. Here's how you can get noticed:.

Become media savvy: Use this step-by-step list to help you get started.

Create a media workplan: Model your efforts on this workplan example.

Prepare a media advisory: Send a media alert/advisory several weeks before your events.

Contact your local newspaper: Encourage your local paper to get involved. Check out some sample letters to the editor you can adapt and modify to suit your needs.

Write an op-ed piece: Raise your visibility in your community by sharing your point of view about the current state of children's literature here's an example of an Op Ed (Opinion-Editorial) piece.

Send out a Save-the-Date notice: Send an announcement early so that people can mark your event on their calendars.

Take a proclamation to your community government: Ask local leaders to sign a proclamation declaring March 2nd NEA's Read Across America day. Most local governments embrace the opportunity to align themselves with enthusiasm for reading, and the fun of celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday is practically irresistable. For Local Associations, the goodwill you will reap is huge. If you want to take this a step further, invite your Mayor or Council Member to be a guest reader at your event.

Gain district-wide endorsement: Use this sample Local School Board Presentation to get buy-in, and consider taking along a Cat-in-the-Hat hat to give to the Chairperson as a gesture of good will.

Send comments to Staci Maiers