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Professional Development Events

NJSPRA sponsors a number of in-person events throughout the year with the goal of providing professional development and networking opportunities for our members

For professional development in 2024-2025, we held three full day workshops at the FEA Conference Center in Monroe Township, NJ. In addition to our professional development offerings, NJSPRA also held member meet-ups, the Communication Awards celebration, and our Annual Meeting and School Communicators Day celebration in May. Attendance to all of these events is included in your NJSPRA Membership. In prior years, we have also held special events as needs and occasions arise, including focused seminars on timely topics for NJ schools as well as regional events with neighboring state SPRA chapters.

Dates and information for upcoming workshops are posted below. Announcements and registration information about each event is posted on our website here, emailed to members and other subscribers, and posted on our social media channels.

To be added to our subscriber list, complete the chapter's brief subscription form

Save the dates for our 2025-2026 Workshops! Location will again be at the FEA Conference Center.
Fall Workshop & Communication Awards Ceremony - October 9, 2025
Winter Workshop - January 13, 2026
Spring Workshop - March 26, 2026


    • October 09, 2025
    • 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
    • NJPSA FEA Conference Center
    Register

    Fall 2025 Workshop & Communication Awards Ceremony
    Snap, Edit, Share:
    A Content Creator's Guide

    Thursday, October 9, 2025
    9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

    Breakfast/Check-In Open at 8:30 a.m.
    RSVP/Registration Absolutely Required by October 2nd, Including for Active Members

    Hands-On Sessions!

    From Apps to Impact: Completing Your Digital Toolkit

    What if your next newsletter had a 90% open rate instead of 15%?
    Join fellow school communicators and industry experts for
    an exclusive workshop where district communication veterans
    reveal the battle-tested strategies that cut through
    the noise of busy inboxes and create the kind of school content
    that gets shared at faculty meetings and dinner tables.

    Learn the tips and tricks for using some of our most-loved tools
    to create the impactful newsletters, social media graphics, flyers,
    videos, and presentations you want to achieve the results you need.


    Lens to Launch: Building Your Visual Brand

    Join us for a hands-on workshop where we reveal the
    surprisingly simple guidelines that separate forgettable snapshots
    from photos that demand attention.
    No expensive camera required – just the phone in your pocket
    and the insider knowledge we're about to share. 
    Discover:

    • The rule of thirds
    • Lighting secrets used by professionals
    • Composition hacks that make viewers feel like they're right there with you
    • Live shooting challenges where you'll practice and get instant feedback

    This isn't your typical "hold the camera steady" class.
    Learn the tips and tricks for creating photos that tell stories,
    spark emotions, and make people hit "share."

    ____________________________________

    2025 Communication Awards Ceremony


    Meet, See and Celebrate...

    ...the best in 
    Newsletters, Marketing/Branding/Image,
    Media Relations, 
    Photography, Social Media,
    Special Publications, Video and Website
    creations across New Jersey.
    Support your colleagues!


    Logistics and Registration:

    NJPSA FEA Conference Center
    12 Centre Drive  Monroe Township, NJ 08831

    RSVP/Registration required for everyone, including active members,
    and DUE BY OCTOBER 2ND.

    Open to:
    Active NJSPRA 2025-2026 Members

    Dues must be paid in full or purchase order received.

    All 2025 Communication Awards Entrants and Winners
    Check your email or contact executivedirector@njspra.com
    for the registration code.

    2025 Communication Award Winners may bring one guest to attend the afternoon ceremony 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
    Check your email or contact executivedirector@njspra.com
    for the registration code.

    2025-26 Members unable to attend may send a substitute from their district - Contact executivedirector@njspra.com for the registration code.

    All Other Guests - $125 per

    Includes continental breakfast (available at 8:30am) and lunch

    Thank You to Our Sponsors!

    Champion


    Patron


Past Events 

2024-25

  • 9 May 2025 Annual Meeting and School Communicators Day Celebration
  • 13 March 2025 Driving the Communication Train: Getting Everyone on Board with Your Outreach
  • 16 Jan 2025 From Recruitment to School Spirit: The Power Is in the Post (Social Media For Hire; Hr+ PR: A Perfect Combination, Social Savvy Hiring: Connecting with Top Candidates in the Digital World)
  • 10 Oct 2024  NJSPRA School Communication Awards Celebration
  • 23 Sept 2024 Keeping Law and Order with AI & Strategic Planning
2023-24
  • 10 May 2024 Annual Meeting and School Communicators Day Celebration
  • 12 March 2024  Branding and Strong Communications to Help Attract and Retain Students and Staff (How School PR Can Help with Employee Recruitment; Maximizing Your Network with Community Partnerships; Implementing Brand Identity to Unite District, Schools and Community; Who Speaks for Your Brand)
  • 30 Jan 2024  Virtual Workshop: Ethics in School Communications (NJSPRA Members Only)
  • 11 Jan 2024  Prepare, Prepare, Prepare - What You Should Do Before Your District Is in the Headlines (Preparing for a Crisis - Have a Plan; Journalists Turned School Communication Pro's; Reporters Are on My Campus - Now What? Tutorial on Media Training)
  • 23 Oct 2023  NJSPRA School Communication Awards Celebration at NJSBA Annual Workshop
  • 2 Oct 2023  Crewing the Ship Through Choppy Waters: Good Communication Starts at the Helm (Dynamic Duo: Superintendent and School Communicator; Keeping Calm and Let the School Communicator Help; Board Members, Social Media and Freedom of Speech; Tech and Design Tips for School Communicators: Canva, Newsletter, Social Media)

2022-23

  • 12 May 2023  Annual Meeting and School Communicators Day Celebration/Luncheon, Communicator of the Year awarded
  • 25 Apr 2023  Showcase & Roundtable with Video, Website and Social Communication Award Winners, Importance of Internal Communications, The Good, the Bad & The Ugly (Three NJSPRA members sharing good, bad and ugly situations they experienced) 
  • 07 Feb 2023 Social Media Analytics and Content Strategy; 2022 Communicator of the Year Presentation; NJSBA Legislative Update; Creating an Internal Communications Team
  • 30 Nov 2022 Communicating in Crisis; Leadership in Turbulent Times; 100 member celebration
  • 18 Oct 2022 2022 Communication Awards Dinner

2021-22

  • 25 May 2022  Annual Meeting and Communicator of the Year Award
  • 13 May 2022  First National School Communicators Day Celebration Virtual Huddle
  • May 2022  Regional Member Meet-Ups
  • 27 April 2022  Virtual Workshop: Showcase: NJSPRA Award Winners Share Their Communication Tech Success
  • 2 April 2022  Virtual Workshop: Key Messages: Essential Anchors to Power Your Communications
  • 16 Mar 2022  Virtual Workshop: Helping Your Leadership Team Become Great Communicators
  • 2 Mar 2022  Virtual Member Meet-Up
  • 12 Jan 2022  Virtual Workshop: Communicating and Conducting an Equity Audit 
  • 6 Oct 2021  2021 Communication Awards Dinner
  • 20 Oct 2021  Virtual Workshop: DEI - Getting the Entire School Community on the Same Page
  • 18 Nov 2021  Calming the Crowd: Restoring Civility at Board Meetings

2020-21

  • 26 May 2021  Annual Meeting  (Virtual)
  • 19 May 2021  2021 Communicator of the Year Presentation to Maren Smagala
  • 21 Apr 2021  Virtual Workshop: Communicating with Different Audiences
  • 3 Mar 2021  Virtual Workshop: Communicating and Leading for Equity
  • 24 Feb 2021  Virtual Workshop: Communicating About Covid-19: What You Need to Know and Do Next
  • 24 Nov 2020  Member Meet-Up (Virtual)
  • 19 Nov 2020  Virtual Workshop: Supporting Employees with Parent/Family Communications
  • 16 Oct 2020  2020 Communication Awards Ceremony (Virtual)

2019-20

  • 25 Jun 2020  Virtual Mini-Session: The Importance of Copyright
  • 09 Jun 2020  Virtual Mini-Session: Virtual Year End Events During COVID-19
  • 04 Jun 2020  Virtual Mini-Session:  Effective Internal Communications During COVID-19
  • 04 Jun 2020  Virtual Mini-Session:  The School Communications Function During COVID-19
  • 26 May 2020  2020 Communicator of the Year Virtual Presentation to Dr. Matthew Murphy
  • 16 Jan 2020  Winter Workshop:  Managing the News Media and Communications  When the Unthinkable Happens
  • 11 Nov 2019  Fall Workshop: Communications Planning Bootcamp AND The One-Person School PR Department
  • 29 Sep 2019  2019 NJSPRA Communication Awards & Networking Event



    NJSPRA Programs and Events Committee (2024-25)

    The Programs and Events Committee plans, assesses, and evaluates professional development offerings and member learning options provided by the chapter throughout the course of the school year. Review your confirmed event registrations.

    Mailing Address

    760 Route 46 West #1001
    Parsippany, NJ 07054

    Contact Us

    executivedirector@njspra.com 
    845-406-0631

    NJSPRA is one of 34 officially chartered chapters of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) representing school communications professionals in individual states
    and multi-state regions across the United States, U.S. territories, and Canada. © 2025 New Jersey School Public Relations Association. All rights reserved.
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