Sample Media Materials and Tips

Sample Fact Sheet

America Goes Back to School is a nationwide initiative that encourages parents, grandparents, community leaders, employers and employees, members to the arts community, religious leaders, and every caring adult and young person to take a more active role in improving education in their communities.

Thirty years of research show that when children can count on their family and community, in addition to their teachers, for involvement in their education, it makes a significant difference in their learning. A survey by Money magazine found that the factor determining the best school districts in the country was the amount of support received from parents and the community. America Goes Back to School focuses attention on improving education across America during the back-to-school period of August through October.

With the support of the U.S. Department of Education and members of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education, thousands of America Goes Back to School events have taken place across the nation, in every state, since the effort began in 1995. Along with U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley, co-chairs include Tipper Gore, National PTA President Lois Jean White, and Jane Pauley.

Who Can Get Involved?
YOU CAN! Families, schools, colleges and universities, employers, and community, cultural, and religious organizations any caring adult or young person--everyone has something to offer, something to share, and something to gain by participating in America Goes Back to School.

What Can You Do to Participate?
Spend time reading to a child. Educate students to prevent substance abuse. Recruit and organize tutors. Mentor a child in math. Help start or expand an after-school program. Sponsor career days and internships at work sites. Plan an event that connects middle and high school students with colleges. Volunteer your time to assist teachers. Use your own talents and resources to get involved and stay involved!

When Does America Goes Back to School Take Place?
All year long! Our focus is on the back-to-school months of August through October, when people make or renew their year-long commitments to get involved.

How Do You Get Involved?
To find our more information about hosting an America Goes Back to School event or to let us know what you are doing, call 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit the America Goes Back to School Web site at www.ed.gov/Family/agbts.

Sample Press Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Name, Chairperson America Goes Back to School Month Address/Phone Number AMERICA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL ANYWHERE U.S.A., August 1998. August 1998 marks the fourth annual national celebration of America Goes Back to School. America Goes Back to School focuses public attention on education during the back-to-school months of August through October. Communities all across America are getting everyone involved in making education better for children. This year's challenge to families and all caring American's is to get involved and stay involved through a year-round commitment to children's learning.

Each year, U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley chairs the celebration. This year's co-chairs, Tipper Gore, National PTA President Lois Jean White, and Jane Pauley, will be joined by parents, educators, and the thousands of family, school, education, business, community and religious members of the Partnership for Family Involvement in Education in helping America go back to school.

(Chairperson's name), member of the (state or local association), is coordinating the America Goes Back to School celebration in (school and community name). During America Goes Back to School, (organization name) will promote family and community involvement in education by (list activities). Everyone is invited to volunteer in a school, to tutor kids in reading or math, to share personal talents or experiences through a guest lecture or activity, to provide a workplace internship to a student, or to help with a school or college fundraiser. Some of the planned events are (list of proposed activities with dates, times, locations, and contact person's names and phone number).

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Sample Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

As the students of (your local community) head back to school, we all need to think about, what each of us can do to help them receive a high-quality education. The students of today are the people who are going to be working in our community, taking care of us, and leading our country in the future, We all have an interest in making sure that they become as well educated and well prepared as possible.

The back-to-school time is an excellent time for people to get involved in education. Everyone can contribute something--parents and families, grandparents and senior citizens, members of community and cultural organizations, employers and employees. Every caring adult, and even older students, can play a role in improving education.

(Add a paragraph about your event and let people know how they can get involved.)

I encourage everyone to contact a local school and ask what you can do to help. Find an organization or a project already working with students and get involved. Do something now, because better education is everybody's business!

Sincerely,

(Your name, title and address)

Sample Public Service Announcements

(approximately 60 seconds each) Announcer:
What can make a difference in children's learning? You can.

Do you sing in the shower? Help children enjoy music in an after-school program. Go see the marching band's halftime show

Do you surf the Internet? Help students and teachers learn how to use the Internet to find useful information.

Do you read books? Share a book with a child through a reading tutoring program.

Do you take out the trash? Volunteer to help keep the school building and school grounds clean, safe, and attractive.

Make improving education a part of your daily routine. Whatever your skills, talents, and experiences, you can help support children's learning. Call you local school to find out how you can help. C'mon America...let's go back to school!

Announcer:
Picture that special child in your life. Are you a parent? Grandparent? Aunt of uncle? Brother or sister? Family friend? Babysitter? Neighbor?

Then you know what makes a difference in children learning. YOU DO.

But did you know that the three most influential factors in student achievement are:

The student's attendance in school;
The availability of books, newspapers, and magazines in the home; and
The amount of television the student watches.

These are all things over which families have some control. Family and community involvement makes a real difference in children's learning. Contact your local school to find out what you can do to help children learn. C'mon America...let's go back to school!

Announcer:
Those students you see on your way to work every morning--- Waiting for the school bus. Walking to school. Riding their bikes. Waiting at the stoplight next to you. One of them might teach your grandchildren or your grandchildren's children someday. One of them might patrol your neighborhood at night. One might write the sports column in the newspaper. One of them might work for you. You might even vote for one of those kids someday for mayor or senator or president.

We don't know yet what's ahead for these students and for ourselves. Help make sure that today's students are prepared for tomorrow's world. Contact your local school to find out how you can help. Or call the Education Excellence Partnership at 1-800-382-3762 for a copy of their booklet on standards. C'mon America...lets go back to school!

Helpful Tips When Dealing With the Media

Guidelines for writing a press release

• Type the release, double-spaced, with one-inch margins on one side of 8-1 / 2 x 11 " paper.
• In the top left-hand corner, type "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE."
• In the top right-hand corner, list the name, title, address, and telephone number(s) of the contact person.
• Center the headline above the body of the release. Keep the headline short and concise and type it in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS.
• Begin the main body of the release with a dateline (city of origin and date) in all capital letters.
• Include who, what, when, where, and why in the first two paragraphs. Use short paragraphs.
• Limit the release to one page if possible. If not, type "MORE" at the bottom of the first page. On page two in the upper lefthand corner, type a short derivative of the main title in all capital letters.
• End the release by typing "###" or "-30-" in the center of the bottom of the last page.
• Attach a personal note on the release to grab the reader's attention.

Always check your spelling!

When submitting photos, remember:

• Most newspapers prefer 5" x 7" black and white, glossy photos with borders.
• Color photos and Polaroid shots are not acceptable.
• Pictures should be in sharp focus with good contrast between black and white.
• A single point of interest is essential. Eliminate unnecessary details.
• Captions should clearly explain picture content. Tell who is doing what, when, and where. Be sure to mention America Goes Back to School and your school's name. Tape the caption to the back of the picture, so that it falls just below the photo for easy reading. Do not write on the back of the picture; this may damage it.
• Both vertical and horizontal shots should be submitted. The variety will produce a more attractive layout.
• A piece of cardboard needs to be included with each photo for protection. If the photo becomes bent, creased, or marred, it will not be usable. Write "PHOTO ENCLOSED DO NOT BEND" on the outside of the envelope.
• Negatives should be saved since photos are rarely returned.

When writing a Public Service Announcement remember:

Broadcast copy is written and designed for the ear. Keep in mind that broadcast copy should:

• Sound personal and have a sense of immediacy;
• Be clear, concise, conversational, and correct;
• Use the active voice and present tense whenever possible;
• Use contractions just as you would if talking; and
• Tell listeners (viewers) how to get more information.

Be sure to fit your message in the time slot allotted.
10 seconds--about 25 words
30 seconds--about 75 words
60 seconds--about 150 words

Determine which stations serve your community, contact their public service director, explain what America Goes Back to School is and the importance of family and community involvement in the five critical areas in education, describe your PSA script, and ask whether station would be willing to air the spot.

Tips for running a press conference