Southwestern Central School has been recognized for outstanding achievement in educational communications by the New York School Public Relations Association. Award-winning recipients in the association's 30th annual Communications Awards.

The district received its award at the association's Awards Luncheon, held in conjunction with the 2009 New York State School Boards Association Convention, in New York City.

The Southwestern Central School newsletter, Spotlight, received an Award of Merit in the contest, which received more than 400 entries in 14 categories. Linda Danahy, Erie 2 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES public relations specialist, edits the publication. She previously received an Award of Honor for the Springville-Griffith Institute school district newsletter.

"This year's winners should feel especially proud of their awards which recognize excellence in school communications," said Marcia Kelley, NYSPRA president and school information officer of the East Syracuse-Minoa Central School District. "Entries were judged by a distinguished panel of professionals from around the country. The judging was very competitive, with only one-third of all entries receiving awards."

The New York School Public Relations Association is a chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. As a statewide group of professional school communicators, members are committed to the development and dissemination of communications designed to engage parents, staff, community residents, partners in education and other stakeholders.

The statewide awards provide an opportunity for recognition of the outstanding work performed by school communication professionals who support student achievement and school improvement initiatives through effective communications.