The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) recently recognized Katy ISD with a Golden Achievement Award for its district-wide bullying prevention and awareness campaign.

What started as a modest initiative by a high school student leadership circle to increase awareness about bullying soon flourished into a large scale campaign that continues to impact Katy ISD’s school culture.

The district’s bullying prevention campaign, which has been comprised of student and parent roundtables, a parent academy, informational videos, social media engagements, posters, a Bullying Tip Line mobile app and other activities designed to inform and educate about bullying, has been at the forefront of Katy ISD’s efforts to address student safety and well-being proactively.

“Our students and staff have put a tremendous amount of work into learning about the issues, listening to those impacted, and working with parents and community members to identify proactive approaches to preventing bullying behaviors on our campuses,” said Dr. Andrea Grooms, Chief Communications Officer.

“It is their voices and experiences that have informed the communications, programs and practices that we continue to implement and hone throughout our school-community,” added Grooms.

Just one measure of the success of the bullying prevention campaign has been the number of new downloads of the Katy OnTheGo App, which hosts the Bullying Tip Line.

During the first few months of the campaign, over 106,000 users downloaded the app.

Similarly, campus’ and district administration immediately began receiving real-time tips from students and parents. Such tips are addressed within 24 hours.

NSPRA’s Golden Achievement Award recognizes exemplary work in public and student engagement initiatives and programs.

The organization also recognized Katy ISD with eight other awards for parent and community relations informational materials and campaigns, including:

· What Does Bullying Look Like? (Video)- NSPRA Award of Merit

· How to Report Bullying (Video)- Honorable Mention

· Katy ISD Gold Card News- Honorable Mention

· Katy Update (eNewsletter)- Honorable Mention

· Superintendent’s Highlights (Superintendent’s monthly video)- Honorable Mention

· Maintenance and Operations Profile (Video)- Honorable Mention

· Campbell Elementary Cubs Identity Package- Honorable Mention

· Agricultural Sciences Center Dedication Program- Honorable Mention