Communications
Communications
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Mission: We tell the story of Portland Public Schools. We serve as the primary line of communication to our students, families, staff and communities. We take the lead on strategic and emergency communications, handle news media requests, and provide support to schools and the central office.
Guided by the district’s commitment to equity, we translate our efforts into five languages. Our work reflects the scope of the most diverse and largest school district in Oregon.
Services We Provide
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PPS Pulse
PPS Pulse is our weekly electronic newsletter. We cover stories coming out of our schools and departments and showcase the great work of our students and staff. Pulse is sent to approximately 48,000 families and 7,000 staff.
Contacts:
Lindsay Trapp, Coordinator, ltrapp@pps.net
Mike Tokito, Editor/Senior Staff Writer, mtokito@pps.net -
Media Relations
The media relations team responds to all requests for information and interviews by members of the local and national news media, including reporters from print, radio, television, and online news sources. We assist PPS staff who are contacted by reporters, and proactively inform media about the many positive stories happening throughout the District.
Members of the news media with questions about the district should contact:
Karen Werstein, Public Information Officer, 503-502-6896, kwerstein@pps.net
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Language Access Services
Language Access Services provides meaningful language access to parents by offering translated printed and digital materials, qualified language interpreters, and effective communication between the district and its multilingual communities.
Language access services also supports district wide communications ensuring an equity lens is taken into account in its interactions with the public.
Contact:
Marifer Sager, Department Manager, msager@pps.net -
Graphics
The graphics and web team creates graphic design for district departments and schools. We maintain the PPS home page and are responsible for the look and feel of the district’s web presence. We also help to support and train school and office staff in use of the web content management system. Check the style guide for detailed information on how we visually unite our district, and the quick sheet for an overview.
Contact:
To submit a request, please fill out this form and we will respond within five business days. -
Multimedia Services
The Multimedia Services team works with our schools, administrators and district programs to create and share informative and engaging videos highlighting positive stories throughout our district and community. The team is responsible for live-streaming and broadcasting important public meetings, posting videos to PPS social media sites and maintaining and programming the district’s cable channel, TV28.
Contacts:
Terry Proctor, Communications Manager/Multimedia, tproctor@pps.net
Brian Robertson, Multimedia Producer, brobertson1@pps.net -
Public Records
The Public Records Officer responds to all requests for public records from members of the public and the media, and strives to provide records in a timely fashion. The Public Records Officer has the responsibility of meeting the district’s privacy obligations to students and staff and helping to promote transparency and a greater understanding of how the district carries out the public’s business. More information or request records.
Contact:
Ryan Vandehey, Public Records Officer, rvandehey@pps.net, (503) 916-3385
PPS on Social Media
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The PPS official social media accounts are managed by Communications staff.
Contacts
We want your ideas
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Please feel free to submit story suggestions, links to the best stories on your school web site or newsletter, photos, videos and other items you think would have district wide interest. Email story ideas, images and documents to: ltrapp@pps.net.
