LBUSD Podcast Series Earns National Recognition for Excellence in School Communications

Long Beach Unified has recently been recognized by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) as part of the 2026 Publication and Digital Media Excellence Awards, earning the Merit Award in the Podcast category.

NSPRA's Publication and Digital Media Excellence Awards recognize outstanding communication materials produced by school districts and education organizations, including publications, newsletters, videos, podcasts, websites, social media, and other digital media.

LBUSD received the honor for its Re-imagin(ED) Podcast, developed by the District's Communications Department as a key component of the rollout of Board Policy 5131.8 (Reclaiming Attention: Limiting Distractions, Supporting Wellness). The podcast was created to help families, educators, and community members better understand the District's student phone policy and provide guidance on digital wellness, social media safety, cyberbullying, and the impact of smartphones on students.

The podcast series has become a key component of the District's communications strategy in supporting the phone policy rollout. Episodes are regularly shared alongside the District's social media and website.

The award recognizes the leadership of Christopher Itson, Program Administrator in the Communications Department; Lee Underwood, teacher at Millikan High School; Gary Marshall, Media Technology Integrations Manager; and Ruben Sosnowski, Media Technology Supervisor, who have helped bring the podcast to life. By turning District policy into accessible conversations, the Re-imagin(ED) Podcast has become a valuable resource for families and staff, supporting the successful rollout of the student phone policy and helping to promote student wellness.