School & Community Relations
The school & community relations department for the Green Bay Area Public School District handles:
- media relations
- website development
- social media
- district videos
- district publications
- graphic design
- crisis communications
- district communication
- School Spirit educational endowment
- sponsorships
- marketing
- advertising
- special events
Expectations of the Media
Media Expectations
The Green Bay Area Public School District recognizes and appreciates the role of media in providing news and information to our community. At the same time, procedures must be in place to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff that supports learning with as few disruptions as possible.
Have a story idea about the Green Bay Area Public School District or one of its schools? Want to set up an interview? Here are some easy steps to help you get what you need as quickly and easily as possible.
If you want to visit a school for a story, please contact the School & Community Relations Department first to schedule. We will work to facilitate your request within your timeline - call (920) 448-2025.
Please do not visit a school without prior approval. Our staff are responsible for the safety and privacy of our students first and foremost and they take that responsibility very seriously. They will direct you to the School & Community Relations Department.
If you wish to talk to GBAPS staff (paraprofessional, teacher, administrator, superintendent, etc.), please contact the School & Community Relations Department first to set up the interview. Please remember that not everyone is comfortable speaking with the news media, and everyone is already busy with their daily workloads.
That's where the School & Community Relations Department can help you! If you call and we're unable to answer, please leave a message with details of what you need, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you leave a message or email us about a story, please include the topic of the story, when your deadline is, and/or when you are planning to run the piece.
Daily news plans and school schedules are often not the same. If you have feature-style story ideas, or stories that do not have to be told immediately, please let us know ahead of time so we all have a better chance of speaking with the right person, and they have time to prepare to get you all the information you need.
GBAPS does not comment on national education stories or stories that have taken place in other school districts. We also generally do not comment on proposed legislation and how it may or may not impact our district. The legislative process is fluid and bills often change before they are signed into law.
We understand that approaching parents or guardians waiting to pick up their students might seem like an easy way for a reporter to find sources. Unfortunately, this can pose a safety concern for students - and the reporter - as traffic gets congested and drivers become impatient or distracted during the hectic dismissal process. Please consider finding parents another way: at a neighborhood grocery store, library, or the mall - somewhere away from heavy traffic.
Press Releases
We routinely send out Press Releases and Media Advisories to local media outlets. If a reporter or media outlet wishes to be included on our media distribution list, please email communications@gbaps.org.
School Building Visits
Please keep in mind that a variety of factors affecting the school schedule (school-wide events, holidays, testing, or similar activities) may prevent a visit on a specific date and/or time.
Student Privacy
We operate in compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which provides parents/guardians/students an opportunity to opt out of the release of certain information. If you are taking videos or pictures of students, please remember not to show faces unless approved by GBAPS Communications or building administration. They will be able to verify whether a family has chosen to opt out their child from being included in photos, videos, etc.
The only exception: routine athletics coverage. As a general rule, members of the media may take general footage of students during school events that are open to the public, which includes athletic events.
Requests for the Green Bay Area Public School District Board of Education
Requests for interviews of the School Board can be made directly to the Board member. You will find Board member contact information here.
School Board Meetings
The media is encouraged to attend meetings of the School Board. Meeting announcements, agendas, meeting minutes, and other related supporting documents are available to the media through BoardDocs.
To avoid disruption of the meeting, media are asked to work with the Director of Communications and Public Relations regarding interviews with Board members or guest speakers to arrange interviews prior, during a break, or after the meeting. The Director of Communications and Public Relations or designee attend the meetings and can assist. Interviews of audience members should be conducted away from the Board Room or after the meeting to minimize disruptions.
When the media wish to record the Board proceedings, camera equipment and media personnel should remain in the community area of the Board Room, with the exception of briefly moving to capture video of guest speakers or staff members who are presenting, or members of the public during public forum. There is also a mult box in the Board Room, which media is asked to use, rather than moving microphones around the Board table during meetings.
Updated 6/1/24
Media Advisories/Media Releases
August
- August 28, 2024 - Public Invited to Take a Self-Guided Tour of East High School’s New Fitness Center on August 30
- August 21, 2024 - Rededication Set for Preble High School’s Renovated Gauthier Family Stadium
- August 19, 2024 - Official Ribbon Cutting for Aldo Leopold Community School’s ADA Compliant & Inclusive Playground
- August 19, 2024 - Jackson Elementary & St. Norbert College Host Back to School Blitz on August 22
- August 6, 2024 - GBAPS Holds 2nd Annual Welcome Back Celebration for Students and Families
July
- July 30, 2024 - GBAPS to Hold Walk-in Job Fair at District Office Building
- July 10, 2024 - Community Members Invited to Create a Portrait of a Graduate
- July 2, 2024 - Community Input Sought on November 2024 Referendum
June
May
- May 29, 2024 - Unique Partnership Between Public and Private Entities will Result in Improved Marina Access for the Greater Green Bay Community
- May 28, 2024 - West High School and Franklin Middle School Band Students to Collaborate, Premiere Brian Balmages’ Hope Ahead
- May 24, 2024 - City Stadium Automotive® Students Earn College Credits & Technical Diploma; Celebration on May 29
- May 22, 2024 - West High School and Franklin Middle School Band Students to Premiere Brian Balmages’ Hope Ahead
- May 21, 2024 - Preble High School to Hold Service Recognition Day on May 22
- May 20, 2024 - Preble High School Announces 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Class
- May 13, 2024 - Bridges Construction & Renovation Program Hosts New Home Build Celebration on May 15
- May 10, 2024 - Bay Link Manufacturing® Students Earn College Credits & Certification; Celebration on May 16
- May 7, 2024 - Preble High School Student-Athlete Signing
- May 6, 2024 - West High Students to Receive Life-Changing Scholarships to Marquette and UW-Green Bay
- May 3, 2024 - Public Invited to Provide Feedback on Scenario C Boundary Changes
Meet the Staff
Lori Blakeslee
Director of Communications
(920) 448-2025
Email Lori Blakeslee
Justine Braun
School & Community Relations Specialist
(920) 272-7032
Email Justine Braun
Malia Torbenson
Bilingual Executive Secretary
(920) 448-2025
Email Malia Torbenson