On April 18, Harris County Department of Education’s Communications & Creative Services and Marketing & Client Engagement divisions hosted 38 Houston-area school public relations professionals at the Adult Education building. 

The Houston Area School Public Relations Association (HASPRA) meets monthly throughout the school year to discuss trending topics and scenarios in school public relations and share strategies and offer support to overcome challenges in school communications. 

HCDE Chief Communications Officer Danielle Clark welcomed meeting participants to open the event. 

Attendees then split into small groups to have discussions on topics and challenges regarding work-life balance, artificial intelligence, media relations and gaining community trust. Each group then shared tips from its respective topic. 

HCDE hosts HASPRA multiple meetings, including the organization’s annual media roundtable, held in September as a networking event where area journalists meet with local school district communications personnel to discuss coverage opportunities.