🥳 Milestones to memories: telling stories that stick 

May is all about the moments that matter — graduations, exhibitions, performances, and all the joyful ways schools celebrate student growth. These milestones aren’t just markers of the end of a school year; they’re powerful stories of progress, persistence, and purpose. 

In this final CONNECT newsletter of the 2024–25 school year, we’re spotlighting how schools are capturing and sharing student success with compelling communications, creative campaigns, and community-centered storytelling. From senior spotlights to award ceremonies, we’ve gathered examples and ideas to help you finish strong — and share those stories that stick. 

Plus, explore essential tasks this summer — like downloading your Facebook Live videos before it’s too late. Then, get to know Peak to Peak’s Tracy Durland.

We will return again in August with updates for the new year as we continue to build a statewide network of marketing, communications, and community engagement pros dedicated to charter schools.

Until then, may your watermelon be sweet and the sunshine abundant! Happy summer! 🌞

The Back-to-School Staples: A Summer Learning Series
Various   |   12:00 PM - 12:30 PM   |   Virtual
Throughout the summer, you can learn from Finalsite experts in quick, 30-minute sessions packed with the insights. First up is Communication Strategies on June 4 at 12:00 PM. Enhance communication, elevate parent experience, and build a stronger community with practical tips. Learn more.

COSPRA Summer Conference
June 4-6    |   Breckenridge, CO
Gear up for Camp COSPRA: A New Summit — a bigger, bolder sequel to our smash 2024 Summer Conference! Fill your summer with fresh insights, trailblazing PR strategies, and the best networking in Colorado school PR. Register now. 

ComNetwork Denver Summer Happy Hour
June 17   |   4:30 - 6:30 PM   |   Englewood, CO
Join the Communications Network Denver Chapter for our summer happy hour, an evening of connection, networking and fun, at Brewability. This free event invites communications professionals working at nonprofits, foundations and agencies to connect, share learnings and celebrate summer. RSVP. 

National Charter School Conference
June 29-July 2   |   Orlando, FL
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ conference is the largest conference in the charter community. With nationally recognized experts, curated content, and a focus on collaboration, NCSC offers the best learning experience for those shaping K-12 education. Register now.  

CONNECT May 8 Lunch & Learn 
PRA’s 15 Year Journey to Cultivate Community Engagement
At our final CONNECT session of the school year, Patty Kelly of Prospect Ridge Academy shared PRA’s 15-year journey to build a high-trust, high-engagement school community. 

From rebuilding their volunteer base post-COVID to leveraging social media Reels for authentic storytelling, Patty offered practical ways to align family engagement with school culture and purpose.

▶️ You’ll find slides for this and all our sessions – plus recordings for many – in the Documents section of our online community. 

💻 Google Reviews for Schools Are Gone? Why & How to Pivot.
For years, Google's online reviews have been a long-simmering pot of confusion, and it’s finally coming to a boil: Google is removing its reviews for schools.

📲 How to Download Your Facebook Live Videos Before they are Deleted from Your Page
Facebook Live videos will no longer be archived on the platform for longer than 30 days. Even more pressing, starting in this summer, all existing Facebook Live videos will be permanently deleted.

🎓 Top 10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Student Achievements
When done creatively, student recognition can motivate learners, boost morale, and inspire others. Here’s a detailed look at 10 creative ways to celebrate student achievements.

📽️ Celebrating Student Excellence: The Power of Video 
Video marketing plays a crucial role in showcasing student achievements, highlighting academic awards, sports accomplishments, performing arts showcases, and community service projects. 

🔉 How Parents Think About School Enrollment
Avela, a leading provider of enrollment and school choice solutions, recently surveyed hundreds of parents across the country to understand how families search for and select schools. The findings reveal key insights that can help charter leaders improve outreach, increase enrollment, and better meet family needs. Download the full report.

📻 Make ChatGPT Your CMO: The Smartest AI Strategy You’re Not Using 
In this podcast, Stephen Lewis, a seasoned journalist and copywriter with decades of experience, shares how businesses can use AI not just as a helper, but as a full-blown strategic partner. 

📈 School Content Marketing: Key Trends for Future Growth
The landscape of school content marketing is evolving rapidly. With more parents researching schools online before making enrollment decisions, private and independent schools must adopt new digital marketing strategies to stay competitive. In this article, we explore key trends shaping the future of school content marketing. 

🔨 Crown Pointe Academy Breaks Ground on Pre-K–2 Expansion
Crown Pointe Academy has broken ground on a new 26,000-square-foot Pre-K–2nd grade facility, marking its third major expansion in 27 years of serving the Southwest Westminster community. Opening in August 2026, the building will add 14 classrooms, accommodate 275 more students, and create 30 full-time jobs. 

♻️ Flagstaff Academy Students Shine at Statewide Microplastics Summit
Flagstaff Academy Charter School’s Green Team students presented at the 2025 Colorado Microplastics Summit, hosted by the Ocean First Institute in Denver.

Have any tips or resources you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Tracy Durland, Communications Director, Peak to Peak Charter School

Meet Tracy Durland, Director of Communications at Peak to Peak Charter School, and someone who defies the laws of sleep as both a night owl and an early bird. (She swears it’s possible — with enough coffee and podcasts.) A big fan of breakfast food (yes, every day for life, if necessary) and small fluffy dogs (breed not important), Tracy brings energy, humor, and a little bit of 90s nostalgia to everything she does.

Her ideal superpower? Flying or teleportation — because traffic is a villain we all want to defeat. When she’s not working communications magic or keeping up with her two kids, you’ll find her soaking up the Colorado sunshine with her family, playing card games, paddleboarding, or jamming out to Brad Paisley, her celeb crush. She’s also a true crime podcast junkie — perfect for drowning out the noise of a potential zombie apocalypse (she’ll be ready, snacks in hand).

Tracy has strong opinions on butternut squash (just … no), prefers local coffee shops to fancy cafés, and once tried shark. She’s also adopted her husband’s CU football superstitions, including delaying holiday decorating for the sake of the team. Oh, and fun fact: she has a twin sister who lives just four miles away. 

Whether she’s re-reading Gone with the Wind for the 100th time or dreaming of riding in a hot air balloon, Tracy’s blend of wit, warmth, and just enough quirky phobias (yes, escalators and car washes made the list — think Final Destination for that lasting trauma) makes her someone you definitely want to sit next to on a plane — or at least follow in our CONNECT Community or on LinkedIn.

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