Our Mission

Working together as a team, we will end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student.

Our Mission

Communications

What We Do

In alignment with the division’s Strategic Plan, the Office of Strategic Communications aims to improve organizational effectiveness by cultivating a valuable, relevant, engaging, and easily accessible communication model.

Office of Strategic Communications
Strategic Communications Officer

Office of Strategic Communications

Improves organizational effectiveness through a comprehensive outreach program that informs the school board, school division staff, parents, media, and the general public about Albemarle County Public Schools’ plans, needs, programs and activities.
Collaborates with stakeholders on projects and activities that advance the school division's strategic plan.
Delivers accurate and current information to the public that promotes knowledge of the school division, provides opportunities for public input and collaboration, generates support and resources, and showcases student and professional staff achievement.
Designs and implements communications programs for distribution over various platforms, including print, electronic and social media.
Provides communications/public information services, support and counsel to the school division, as well as to each school and school division department, and to affiliated organizations.

Strategic Communications Officer

Coordinates all media requests and contacts for the school division or individual schools and employees.
Provides communications counsel, guidance and training for students, staff, and parent groups, and for community partners as necessary.
Functions as the primary contact during emergencies.
Serves as the division's liaison with the community, partner groups, and legislators, and develops programs to bring these groups into closer working relationships with schools.

Media Coverage

The Office of Strategic Communications encourages schools and departments to actively engage their communities in outreach activities that promote services, programs, accomplishments, and opportunities for partnership. The Communications team provides counsel and support to schools and departments in the generation, design and delivery of communications products and has the primary responsibility of interacting with the media.

If your school or department would like to publicize an upcoming event or news story, please complete the ACPS Media Coverage Form (ACPS login required). A member of the Communications team will respond within 24-48 business hours.

ACPS Media Coverage Form

Communication Tools & Tactics

Visit our Tools & Tactics page for information about the various communication mechanisms employed and managed by the Office of Strategic Communications.

Office of Strategic Communications
Albemarle County Public Schools
401 McIntire Road, 3rd Floor
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Phone: 434-972-4049 | Fax: 434-296-5869

Contact Us

Communications Team

Phil Giaramita
Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Officer
434-972-4049
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Helen T. Dunn, Ph.D.
Deputy Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Officer
434-975-9452
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Jennifer A. Butler
Senior Communications Analyst
434-260-4634
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Lauren Hunt
Web & Social Media Specialist
434-296-5820 ext. 13129
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Patrick Huddleston
Video Communications & Instruction Specialist
434-422-2317
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