Anoka-Hennepin collects three national awards for excellence in communication



Anoka-Hennepin’s efforts to inform and engage students, staff and community members have been recognized as some of the nation’s best. The district’s communication and public relations team earned three awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), which is a professional organization for public and private school districts and post-secondary institutions from around the country:



• Website:
New district and school websites.
  Anoka-Hennepin Schools was required to launch new websites before December 31, 2025 due to a content management system update. The update was completed within existing budget parameters. Upon completion, websites now offer a clearer, more connected experience—that supports families today and can evolve over time. Noteworthy focus areas included:
   
  • Website optimization: Standard placement of key information, repeatable page layouts, and a consistent visual hierarchy create a predictable experience that works just as well on mobile as on desktop.
     
  • Brand alignment: Consistent patterns and design choices across district and school sites.
     
  • Enhanced employee recruitment: A dedicated jobs microsite that consolidates employment openings, benefits and career pathways information into a single, easy-to-navigate experience. 
     
  • Easy enrollment: An enrollment microsite offers prospective families a hub of resources to explore open enrollment, in-district transfers and school programs of choice from preschool to graduation.
     
  • Improved accessibility: The team worked to migrate content previously on PDFs to on-page content.
     
• Branding package: Jefferson Elementary School; view the brand sheet.

  The Anoka-Hennepin Schools Communication and Public Relations team assembled a committee to develop a logo and brand package ready for use beginning in the 2025-26 school year. The logo committee included voices of district/school and student leaders, school staff and families. Graphic design and creative services also included team members from the school district’s Print and Design Services department.
   
• Video: Celebrating our achievement.
  The Communication and Public Relations team partnered with student leaders to share a message with all attendees in the arena on graduation day.

Entries are judged by volunteer association members and public relations professionals from around the nation who are experienced, award-winning and accredited.

In the 2025-26 school year, Anoka-Hennepin’s communication and public relations team was comprised of four staff members, including Jim Skelly, executive director; Heather Peters, assistant director; Tim Evans, communication specialist; and Jessica Sauro, communications assistant.