A story highlighting a storytelling collaboration between Kristin Kelemen’s 12th grade Jamestown High School English class and her mother, Andrea’s, UPK 4 class at Fletcher Elementary School, seen here, was one of five stories recognized in the New York School Public Relations Association’s 46th Annual Communications Contest.

The Jamestown Public Schools has received five awards from the New York School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA) as part of its 46th annual Communications Contest.

The Jamestown district was one of 64 school districts, BOCES, or organizations across New York state to receive recognition.

Judged by school communicators from across the country, awards are presented at three levels — Excellence, Honor, and Merit. Jamestown Public Schools earned two of only five statewide “Excellence in Video” honors and three of 16 total recognitions in the “Excellence in Writing” category in this year’s competition.

Receiving “Excellence” for video production was “100 Years of Music,” a documentary on the Jamestown High School choral and band programs commissioned in honor of their centennial school year. Narrated and written by Dennis Webster and produced by Brayton Lydell, the documentary traces that remarkable journey — from its earliest days to the present — through interviews with alumni, longtime directors, and current educators.

Also receiving “Excellence” for video production was a “JPS Spotlight” video story documenting the district’s adoption of SAVVAS enVision as its kindergarten through 8th grade math curriculum. This video highlights how educators across the district implemented the program, showing the engaging, hands-on ways it helps students build confidence and understanding in mathematics.

Recognized for “Honor” in “Excellence in Writing” was “Building Good Habits: Love Families Emphasize the Importance of Attendance.” This story features Love parents James Grant, Tamika Elston, Larry Campbell, and Tatiana Perez who make showing up every day a priority and share simple, practical strategies families can use to build strong attendance habits at home.

Recognized for “Merit” in “Excellence in Writing” was “The Family Business: Three Generations of JPS Educators Unite for Storytelling Celebration,” which showcased Andrea and Kristin Kelemen — mother-daughter educators in the district. This feature celebrates their collaboration that brought Kristin’s Jamestown High School seniors into Andrea’s Fletcher Elementary UPK classroom for a one-of-a-kind literacy experience connecting the district’s youngest and oldest learners.

Also recognized for “Merit” in “Excellence in Writing” was “Fletcher School Supports Local Breast Cancer Care, Honoring Teachers.” Nine years after rallying around beloved teacher Anne Sischo, the “Fletcher family” came together once again last year — this time to support teacher Teresa Isabella and other cancer survivors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students and staff raised $550 for Shades of Pink through ribbon sales and a “Hats Off for Cancer Survivors” day, continuing a tradition of care, compassion, and community spirit.

Only 144 total submissions out of more than 470 entries in this year’s contest were awarded by NYSPRA. More than 40 communications professionals from across the country served as judges to evaluate the over 470 entries in this year’s contest, according to the association.