Public Relations

The Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Office of Public Relations and Communications exists to heighten the public’s awareness of the Department’s mission to ensure that all students are prepared for college or the career of their choice upon graduation from high school.

In support of the mission, the Public Relations Office provides publicity for events, activities and the many successes of the Department’s schools, students, teachers, employees and leadership through internal and external communication.

The Office of Public Relations and Communication, through an integrated marketing communications approach, services the marketing, branding, public, and media relations, advertising and graphic design needs of the Department, districts, and schools.

The Public Relations Office reports directly to the Commissioner of Education.

Office of Public Relations Request Guide

All requests to the Office of Public Relations must be submitted via the electronic form. The Office of Public Relations is unable to complete requests that are not submitted via the form. The electronic request form must be completed. Please note that all requests must be submitted a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the deadline date. A deadline date must be provided. No date = no request. ASAP is not an option (please do not put this on the form). Attached you will find details pertinent to the request form to provide you with guidance on which option to select for your respective needs. We look forward to assisting you!

Types of Requests

• Flyer – If you need a flyer created to promote an upcoming event or to announceimportant information, the office can create a flyer for you.
• Photography – You have an event or occasion that requires pictures to be taken,please note that two weeks advance notice is required to secure photography services based on availability.
• Graphic Design – You need a design created by the team, whether a template orgraphic and you have a vision or idea (theme).
• Website – You need content placed on the VIDE official website. Please indicatewhere on the website, example: if it is for a division, public notice, students,teachers, etc.
• Internal Messaging – Select this option if you need information sent out to all VIDEstaff. Please specify if it is for a particular district. This option can be sent to staffand students. Please indicate if the information is for students.
• External Messaging – This is for information that goes out to the media. Content andinformation for the public that is sent to news media outlets.
• Facebook Page – Content, images or information shared on the official VIDEFacebook page at the discretion of the Office of the Public Relations page.
• YouTube – Video content to be placed on the official VIDE YouTube channel.Pictures can be created into a slideshow and uploaded to YouTube as well.
• Radio or Video PSA – This requires two weeks minimum advance notice forscheduling purposes. Script concept needs to be provided, radio stationsidentified, funding identified. (Budget comes from your division/school). For videoPSA, please indicate the island that the video PSA needs to be recorded on.
• Radio Interview – Please note two weeks minimum notice is required for scheduling purposes, some radio interviews incur a cost starting at $225.00 for 15 minutes. Not all radio interviews are free. If you are invited to appear on a radio show, your supervisor needs to provide approval first and the Office of Public Relations will need to be notified. Approval must be granted by your superior.
  No one should appear on the radio or do an interview without notifying their superior,Office of the Commissioner, and Office of Public Relations.
• Community Event – Select this option if your need to plan or coordinate a community event. Example: Townhall meeting or public forum that requires location, venue, or other arrangements. Associated costs will be the responsibility of the individual, division, school requesting the community event.
• Event Promotions – You have an upcoming event and will need frequent promotions to get the word out. This can be selected if there is an upcoming campaign with sufficient time available (Ideally three weeks minimum to effectively promote the event or activity).
• Press Release – Please note that a press release serves as the most official document for public information from the VIDE. Not all information requires a press release. Content needing a press release must be justified by the nature/level of importance. Some updates/form of information/announcements can be sent to media without a press release. Please note that the selection of a press release should be reserved for information that warrants official VIDE documentation. The Office of Public Relations reserves the right to determine if a request requires a press release.

When submitting your news or story idea, include following:

• Provide facts and details: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How
• Share your opinion: Why is this newsworthy? What makes this awesome? How is this different? – These can be used as quotes for articles. 
• Gather supporting material, resources, or documents if any. For photos, share names of students, grade level, and information regarding their recognition or awards – based on the photo.
  • All photos for print and web publication must be high-resolution. Images from phone cameras are not sufficient unless your phone has a high-quality camera and the images are saved at the highest resolution possible (300 DPI and up to 15 MB file size in jpeg or .png file formats.
• Make sure students have permission to be published.
• Contact the Public Relations Office with questions or ideas
   

SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST FORM TODAY

Public Relations
public.relations@vide.vi

Shayla Solomon
Director, Office of Public Relations & Communications
(340) 774-0100 x 8136
(340) 642-7132
Email: shayla.solomon@vide.vi

Robert Ferrell
Assistant Director, Office of Public Relations & Communications
(340) 774-0100 x 8137
Email: robert.ferrell@vide.vi