The Newton County School System's department of public relations received seven awards for publications, including four silver awards, two gold awards and one best category, at the recent Georgia School Public Relations Association conference in Macon.

Publications are judged on content, design, skill and meeting the overall public relations goals/objectives and can earn bronze, silver or gold awards. Those awards determined to be the very best submitted can earn a best in category.

The department earned three silver awards in the category of excellence in writing for press releases on Gates Millennium Scholars, National Merit and the district Spelling Bee. The school district's Fast Facts Calendar, designed by Current Events Productions, also earned a Silver Award of Merit.

The department also earned two gold awards, one for a marketing campaign using College and Career Readiness Brochures for grades six through 12 - also designed by Current Events Productions, with content provided by middle and high school guidance counselors - and one for the district's new website www.newtoncountyschools.org.

The College and Career Readiness brochures marketing campaign also earned the Best in Category award this year.

Sherri Davis-Viniard is the director of public relations for the school system, and Superintendent Gary Mathews has made providing information to the public a top priority of his tenure.