• Shout out to SLPS parents

    Posted: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 11:38 am | Updated: 10:40 am, Thu Mar 20, 2014.

    By Rachel Seward

    Seward  

    As deputy superintendent of Institutional Advancement for Saint Louis Public Schools, I’m really excited about changing the conversation about our schools.

    Our department handles external affairs for the district: development, volunteerism, corporate and nonprofit relationships, and marketing and public relations. I know that the district still has a lot of work to do. But, the reality is, there are great things happening in our schools and classrooms every day.

    We know that by getting those good stories out, we’ll attract more families, students and great educators, and academics will improve. And the cycle will continue.

    One tool we are using to shift the perception of the district is a campaign of short films. We’ve contracted with an incredibly talented and passionate producer named Ryan Hanlon. He’s also a proud SLPS parent – his children attend Wilkinson Early Childhood Center – and the love he has for St. Louis and the district shows in his work.

    Our first film, “SLPS Parents” is now available online at www.slpsstories.org.  Please take a couple of minutes to watch “SLPS Parents” and see with your own eyes why parents of more than 27,000 children choose SLPS. Then, share the film with your family and friends via Twitter and Facebook.

    “SLPS Parents” is the first of five short films scheduled for this school year. Our next film will be released at the end of March and will provide St. Louis with an up-close look at our expanding preschool program. 

    Changing a narrative takes time. And a lot of work. And a lot of support. We need an army of champions for the district and for the best possible education for our children. Thank you for supporting SLPS.

    Rachel Seward is deputy superintendent of Institutional Advancement for St. Louis Public Schools.