The Hastings Prince Edward District School Board has been recognized for its efforts to raise awareness about the harms of vaping with a national award.
Recently, the Communications team at HPEDSB, Kerry Donnell, Communications and Privacy Manager, and Mary Doyle, Communications Officer, all received a BRAVO! Award from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education.
The award was a Coup de Coeur for the Shine On, Vapes Gone campaign from fall 2024. It was aimed at Grade 9 students and had a few objectives: to raise awareness about the harms of vaping; to reduce vaping among students; to encourage students who do not vape not to start; and to help students to feel safer in school washrooms.
The project was planned and launched through a multi-faceted awareness campaign within six weeks. The team created graphics, web and social media messaging, partnered and collaborated with internal departments and public health, and put together enough anti-vaping awareness kits to give one to every incoming Grade 9 student.
“I’m incredibly proud of our Communications team for being recognized with a BRAVO! Award. Their creativity, professionalism and dedication help us share the incredible stories happening at schools every day. This recognition is a reflection of the team’s commitment to excellence in all they do,” stated Katherine MacIver, Director of Education.
CACE recognizes and honours exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communications, marketing and engagement through the BRAVO! Awards Program each year.
The BRAVO! Awards Program is the only Canada-wide awards program specifically designed to recognize excellence in school board communications. Awards were presented at the end of October.
(BROCK ORMOND)
