The National School Public Relations Association has recognized the Starkville School District and GoPlay with a 2011 Golden Achievement Award.
GoPlay was selected as a Golden Achievement Award winner for outstanding achievement in the four steps of a public relations program including analysis of need, planning to meet the need, execution and communication of the program and formal evaluation of the program.
From the congratulatory letter: “Successful public relations programs require the talents of many people. This effort was evident in your winning entry: GoPlay. You are one of a select group of winners and we again congratulate you and the leadership of your district for being a leader in school communication.”
The GoPlay initiative is designed to encourage imaginative play and to create student learning opportunities beyond the classroom. The initial phase of construction of the GoPlay playground on the campus of Henderson Ward Stewart was completed in August 2010. GoPlay continues to grow with the construction of a covered pavilion in the center of the playground which will be used as an outdoor classroom. This latest phase of the GoPlay initiative is supported financially by the Henderson Ward Stewart PTA and the Starkville School District.
The GoPlay playground was also a component of a summer camp at HWS hosted by SSD”s Department of Child Nutrition to involve students in gardening, playing and eating healthy. GoPlay has also been recognized by the Mississippi Kids Count project as one of 15 programs significantly impacting Mississippi”s children.
The GoPlay Initiative was highlighted during the MS Kids Count Summit in February 2011, and members of the GoPlay team were invited to share project details as part of the Summit”s Showcase of Success.
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