Embedded in the West Orange Schools

For those of you who appreciate brevity and won’t read my whole blog, I write like I talk, fast and why use one word when three poetic words will do….. Just read this:I am Amy Simon of A Simon Says, LLC, and I am a PR consultant and parent in the West Orange Schools. Email me at Amy@asimonsays.com with photos and captions from your favorite WO school activities. Before you do read the disclaimer in the second to last paragraph below …

I’m a mom in the district with a daughter who is a senior and a son who is a freshman. I’ve been in the township for 22 years and in the schools now for 13…OMG, has it been that long? Our family tracked through Hazel Elementary, which was a fantastic school to be part a part of then, as it is now. We were the second class at Edison’s central sixth, then we attended Roosevelt Middle and now are students in the High School. I’ve served on every PTA in my children’s academic progression, started a neighborhood watch group, been involved with so many different committees, commissions, and organizations in town that in my old – okay middle aged brain can hardly remember them all. I wrote for the Chronicle and I consulted as the Communications Director for the Township for 6 years.

For many years now parents have been asking the West Orange Board of Education to send out more ‘good’ news about all that goes on in the district. I too have been part of the parent clarion call. As any WO schools parent knows at every school there are dozens of programs, and events each year put on by the staff and the PTA. Our kids are accomplishing great things inside and outside of the classroom, and our teachers, and principals are providing innovative and stimulating programs to enrich the academic experience while they pursue excellence in the core curriculum standards.

The board has hired me as a consultant to help get this great news out to the community.  Add to my list as parent, stakeholder, and West Orange tax payer, I am now embedded in the West Orange Schools as your ‘what’s happening’ communicator, and what a crazy first month it’s been. I thought I knew everything about the West Orange Schools, and I know many people who feel the same way, but I’m the first to admit when I don’t know it all, and hadn’t realized how active and prolific the administration, staff and students at the West Orange Schools really are. Just in these weeks there has been kindergarten orientation, congressional flags flown, thespian awards, letters to troops in Afghanistan, Autism Awareness Month activities in most every school, the Health and Wellness presentation, Athletic Championships, award winning musical theatre, Financial Literacy presentation, the Intergenerational Prom, a Penny Drive for Susan G Komen, an Arbor Day event at Redwood, a college fair, and upcoming academic awards and athletic achievement awards ceremonies, and so much more.  

There is definitely more going on here than meets the eye and more than just one PR mom from town can capture so I’m going to rely on everyone involved, students, parents and PTA’s, to email me photos from events that you attend with a brief caption – no student names please unless its your own child – and make sure the file is only about 1MG. If you are adventurous you can also send me 15-30 seconds of video that I may be able to post. Ask your child if you’re not smart phone savvy on how to do photos, and video and send them to me by email.

I encourage all PTA’s and parents to post your events on the Patch too. It’s easy to do and will increase the visibility of your event and hopefully your attendance.  Email your notices to me also.  You and I are embedded together in the WO schools as busy parents to busy students. We all must work together to share the great things that are happening at the West Orange Public Schools with each other and with the greater community.

Just a few disclaimers, (read this really, really fast, just like the fast talking voice over at the end of a commercial.) “Not all photos and events will be published. Only positive events will be considered for promotion. Photos and videos must be appropriate for family audience. Any untoward submissions will be forwarded to the authorities…….”

I am Amy Simon of A Simon Says, LLC and I am the embedded PR consultant/mom in the West Orange Schools. Email me at Amy@asimonsays.com.

PS Join me on woschools on Facebook and follow me at woschools on Twitter. I am posting your great news nearly every day.