Public
Information Office
Public Information Office (PIO)
The Public Information Office would like to assist you as much as possible with your information and communication needs. Let’s make sure everyone has a chance to “come inside Rockingham County Schools!”
The Public Information Office is responsible for keeping the community informed and involved in our schools.
To do so, the PIO:
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Maintains district web site.
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Works with the district crisis team.
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Keeps open communication between the school district and the Rockingham County Board of Education.
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Produces the RCS Student Handbook.
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Coordinates media releases for local newspapers/TV/radio.
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Serves as the media’s liaison with the district.
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Handles the district social media sites.
RCS Public Information Officer
Sean Gladieux
336.627.2602
Working with the Media
Normally the Public Information Office acts as a go–between you and the media. But, what should you do if you have to talk directly to a reporter? How should you act? How should you handle yourself?
If a reporter contacts you—you must notify your principal and/or the Public Information Office! Principals, notify the Superintendent. A reporter who shows up at a school where the principal was not notified may not be let into the school!
It is important to do this so that the principal and/or the Public Information Office can "screen" any media requests. The Public Information Office is looking out for both you and the District. We want to help your interview go smoothly, but at the same time ensure that it is a fair and appropriate interview. This screening process helps to ensure that both you and the District are not being set up or being taken advantage of. This process also helps ensure that you and the District are being represented in a fair light.
Interview Tips
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Be prepared. Anticipate possible questions and how you will respond to them—think in terms of: the who, what, where, when, why and how.
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Get to your point right away and keep your responses simple and direct. For radio and television, think in terms of sound bites—keep your responses to 30 seconds—otherwise they will edit what you have said and only use a fraction of it.
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Avoid educational jargon. Try to use language that would be readily understood by your students' parents.
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Do not be afraid to say, "I don't know" in response to a question. Tell the reporter you will find out the requested information and get back to them before their deadline. Then do so!
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Do not say, "No comment." If you cannot share the information with them, say so. Tell them that you will call them as soon as you can release it, and then call them. If you cannot reveal the information at all, tell them why.
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Do not ramble because that will be the quote used.
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Avoid what–if questions. You cannot predict the future. Just go directly back to your key messages and the School District's position on the matter.
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There is no such thing as off the record—anything you say to a reporter could wind up in print or in a radio or television broadcast. Do not let a reporter's friendly, sympathetic manner disarm you into giving additional information. Do not assume that any chatty comment is off the record—it is not.
Community Info
Rockingham County Schools Upcoming Events Calendar
Upcoming Events Calendar on the RCS District Website - RCS items of district wide interest - invitation for the community to attend (to be fair we cannot list school fundraising events unless it is in similar in nature to a carnival or 5K event where the attendees are participants in the event)!
Form: Click here.
Online Newsletters:
Rockingham Update – www.rockinghamupdate.com
(Based out of Rockingham County)
Email: roy@rceno.com
Newspapers:
Eden Daily News/Reidsville Review/ Madison Messenger
Email: news@reidsvillereview.com
News & Record:
Email: news@rock.k12.nc.us (news coverage and calendar event request)
Television:
Fox 8
Form: http://events.myfox8.com/createevent
WXII 12
Email: communitycalendar@wxii12.com
WFMY News2
Email: dpickett@wfmy.gannett.com
News 14
Email: media@news14.com
Radio:
WLOE/WMYN 1490 AM – Rockingham County Radio
Email: info@rockinghamcountyradio.com
WTQR-FM 104.1
WMAG-FM 99.5
WVBZ- FM 100.3
WGBT- FM 94.5
Email: angieward@clearchannel.com
Simon 98.7
Rock Star the RCS Mascot
In addition to being RCS’s #1 fan, ROCK STAR is representative of our community– from alumni, faculty and staff to students, parents, and friends of RCS.
ROCK STAR has a unique passion to help empower all RCS students to compete globally.
He considers all members of the RCS community to be his extended family members, since he now resides in the district. He’s fond of competition, but makes every attempt to be a good citizen in everything he does.
ROCK STAR sends a BIG thank you to Mrs. Robertson's 2008-2009 1st Grade Class at Douglass Elementary for sharing his story with the RCS family.
To view ROCK STAR's story, watch the slide show below.
ROCK STAR Appearance Request Form
Purpose
“The purpose of a mascot is to symbolize school and community spirit used to enhance the tradition and emotions of its audience through exaggeration, characterization, and entertainment” (Universal Cheerleaders Association).
RCS’s Star mascot represents the district as an ambassador and entertainer at school or district events.
General Mascot Appearance Guidelines
Make your next event extra special.
ROCK STAR is now available for appearances around Rockingham County Schools!!
Please submit your appearance request at least 4 weeks prior to the event. All reservations will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be fulfilled depending on availability. School-wide events are the most beneficial (ie. school assemblies for character education, school spirit, pep rallies). Mascot availability is limited on nights and weekends.
Submitting the request form does not guarantee an appearance by ROCK STAR. RCS staff will contact you via e-mail upon receipt of completed form.
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Please note that like most mascots, ROCK STAR does not speak. The RCS mascot is intended only to create visual presence and pose for pictures.
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It must be understood that ROCK STAR’s maximum time in the suit is 45 minutes for an appearance and less than that in excessive heat and humidity.
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The hosting school/organization is required to provide a private, SECURE location for the Mascot to use to dress/change before and after the event as well as during rest intervals.
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ROCK STAR will need to be accompanied by a “spotter” who is responsible for guiding ROCK STAR (he's still a bit clumsy and isn't aware how big he really is).
If you should have any questions or need additional information please contact the Public Information Office at 336-627-2602. Thank you for your interest in having ROCK STAR at your RCS event.
Alert Now
Public Information Requests
Rockingham County Schools utilizes the Alert Now: Connect 5 Phone Notification Service.
Your child’s school will be utilizing the Alert Now: Connect 5 service for:
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Back to School
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Parent Conferences
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Special Events
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End of Grade Testing Dates
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Sports Cancellations
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Report Card Distribution
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Make Up School Day Reminder
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PTO/PTA/PTSO/Booster Clubs
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Emergency Messages
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Attendance / Absence Notification
The district will be utilizing the Alert Now:Connect 5 service for:
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Weather Related Information
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Emergency Messages
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Other Important Information
To update your primary and emergency contact information, please call your child’s school.
To receive a replay of school and district messages sent to your phone, call 1-855-4-REPLAY or 1-855-473-7529.
Anyone who accidentally opted out of their RCS/school automated phone calls can easily opt back in. Call 855-502-7867 and select option 2. The call MUST be made from the opt-in phone number, which means schools cannot add a phone number for families. We don't want you to miss any important messages!
RFP NOTICE
THE PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED
9/27/2023
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Extended Deadline
School-based and In-home Mental Health Services
Sealed proposals, subject to conditions contained herein, will be accepted at the
School Administration Building by the Office of the Assistant Superintendent of
Instructional Support Services/Human Resources at the address shown below until
the time and date shown below (Local prevailing time), for the services described
herein.
Proposal Due: October 18, 2023
Rockingham County Schools
511 Harrington Highway
Eden, NC 27288
www.rock.k12.nc.us
RFP NOTICE
THE PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED
9/20/2023
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Teletherapy Mental Health Services
Sealed proposals, subject to conditions contained herein, will be accepted at the
School Administration Building by the Office of the Assistant Superintendent of
Instructional Support Services/Human Resources at the address shown below until
the time and date shown below (Local prevailing time), for the services described
herein.
Proposal Due: October 11, 2023
Rockingham County Schools
511 Harrington Highway
Eden, NC 27288
www.rock.k12.nc.us
RFP NOTICE
THE PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED
RCS is accepting RFP for RECHS for Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Generation 3 laptops from August 1, 2023 to August 21, 2023.
Any changes, additions, modifications to the bid request will be posted to the RCS webpage: https://www.rock.k12.nc.us/public-information-office. It is the vendor’s responsibility to check for modifications.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Bids, subject to the conditions made a part hereof, will be received at this office 511 Harrington Highway, Eden, NC 27288, until 4:00 PM EST on the day of opening for furnishing and delivering the commodity as described herein.
PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED EITHER ELECTRONICALLY (Proposals submitted via FAX machine will NOT be accepted) OR IN WRITING AND RECEIVED AT THE ADDRESS CONTAINED WITHIN THE RFP BY THE DUE DATE AND TIME STATED.