Fairfax County Public Schools presented nine schools with awards for outstanding school communications at the third annual School Communicators Conference held January 29 by the Office of Communications. 

The 2024 Awards of Communication Excellence celebrate the creation of excellent websites, newsletters, and social media content that inform and engage readers. The winners are examples of the substantial talent that exists among the community of FCPS school communicators.

Best in Show

To be recognized as Best in Show, a school must meet (or exceed) ALL of the standards. 

Woodson High School (pictured at the top of the page) Kevin Greata, Anne Baker, Erinn Harris, and Alexa Pugnetti

The @WoodsonHS Instagram/Facebook account elevates school spirit with student voice at the center. Since August, their follower count has increased by 44%. The principal is involved in their social media posts, and followers get to see and learn more about him and his personality in a fun way.

Their social media feed is full of stories and celebrations. At Woodson, students come to school to learn, take risks, build friendships, and get involved with after-school clubs and activities. The Follow Friday series highlights one club or athletic account per week to share about the club’s impact and boost participation. They also love to have fun with it by embracing some trends to share about projects happening in classrooms. 

The Woodson High School website stands out as a well-designed, community-friendly place that reflects the school’s dedication to community engagement. What truly sets the Woodson website apart is its emphasis on celebrating the achievements and activities of its students and staff. The site features sections that spotlight academic accomplishments, athletic successes, and artistic endeavors, showcasing the vibrant and well-rounded community at Woodson High School. By combining clear communication, accessible resources, and a celebration of school pride, the Woodson High School website serves as an essential tool for fostering engagement and collaboration within the school community.

The Woodson Weekly Newsletter brings joy to the community by utilizing approachable language and lots of pictures of students. The photos are engaging and featured throughout the newsletter, encouraging readers to always scroll through to the very end to see if someone they know was featured that week. 

Recognizing that not everyone can be reached through a single medium, each newsletter issue also features the Weekly Wrap-Up Podcast — a 3-4 minute audio update available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The team working on communications at Woodson collaborates throughout the week to decide what goes in the newsletter and podcast, and the principal records the podcast himself, lending a truly authentic voice to the podcast.