The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

West Central #235 Public Relations Meeting Held

The West Central District #235 Public Relations committee met for the second time on Thursday, January 4, 2007.

In attendance were:

Ralph Grimm, Lonnie Brent, Alyssa Cabrera, Terri Copeland, Kathy Lafary, Dessa Rodeffer, Lani Hultgren, Susan Coffey, Lisa Lafary, Bev Brent, Kris Peterson, Alta Mae Brokaw, Tom Doran and Bob Dillon.

West Central Board of Education President, Lonnie Brent welcomed everyone to the meeting. He then turned the meeting over to District Superintendent Ralph Grimm.

Mr. Grimm explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the list of ideas for enhancing public relations for the district that was generated at the November 29, 2006 meeting. Following that review and discussion, the members of the committee would be given a set of 6 dots and they would be asked to put one dot per idea from the list.

After this explanation, a brief review of the list of ideas that was generated on November 29, 2006 ensued. Clarification was provided on some of the points. Several of the ideas were then grouped together. A couple of new ideas were added.

As a result of the committee members placing their dots on the items of their choice, the following lists of PR ideas was generated.

• "Heat Happenings" where we emphasize all extra curriculars and not just sports; expand distribution of the "Heat Sheet" and district wide student publication (11).
• Use students to interact with and promote the district with stakeholders; promote our district to our students (10).
• Radio and TV spotlights (Galesburg Radio) (8).
• Invite our senior citizens in - provide a meal, entertainment and information on the district and Grandparents Day/Special Persons Day (6).
• "Thank you" notes to local businesses (5).
• Bulletin boards in local businesses-student driven highlighting student work (4).
• Selling "Heat" clothing in area stores (4).
• Paid Education Page in local newspapers (3).
• Family passes - Season passes (3).
• Community mentoring program (2).
• Involvement in city council meetings; provide promotional material to HR people in the area and collaborate with other units of local government (2).
• Have designated media person in each building (2).
• Post calendars in public places (2).
• Students in the community doing community service (1).
• Lunch with realtors and other business people (1).
• Work to bring other people into our school (1) (Health professionals/info on careers).
• Alumni spotlight/Hall of Fame/Alumni Association (1).
• School spirit club (1).
• Invite schools/teams from "across the river" to come here (1).
• Elementary and middle school signage on highway (2).
• More beautification of grounds (1).
• Clinics for young people (Cheerleading, 3 on 3 Tournaments, Shooting Contests) (1).

Following this portion of the meeting, Mr. Grimm informed the group that the list generated above would be shared with the WC Board of Education at their January 17, 2007, meeting.

President Brent closed the meeting with his appreciation for everyone who helped with this project, and by telling everyone that there would be no more meetings scheduled unless or until there was a need to do so.