philllat's blog

It seems like it's been forever since we've had to post!

Well, the semester is coming to an end and everything seems to be picking up even more at my internship. There's the kick off of the R.I.S.E. Mentorship Program, the Graduation Video Tribute, and tons of more stuff happening daily that needs to get out to the press. So, now what?

Our Superintendent would like for us to start a new project, and asked my supervisor to organize it. My supervisor emails me and asks if I would like to take on this new project, thus, take care of the organizing. Of course, I said yes. So, what is the project? Well the project is a video tribute personalized for each GRPS high school that will be aired at graduation for the Class of 2010. The video will capture highlights from the school year and events, photos of the students,

Well I thought we didn't have to post last week since we didn't have class or a reading response, so I apologize.

Well, this week has been pretty much the same as the previous weeks. My supervisor gives me three (no more than four a day) press releases to write and I write. One press release was about a 1986 GRPS alumni and Broadway "Rent" star returns to Grand Rapids to help one of the elementary schools (that I attended) sing in a choral company. The other press releases congratulated City High School for receiving one of the highest honors in the National Forensic League: the Leading Chapter Award and the last press release announced the 18th Annual JROTC Drill Meet hosted by Centrtal High School.

I only work at my internship Wednesdays and Fridays from 12-5 p.m. , and I wish my schedule would allow me to be there everyday. I finally realized that I really enjoy being there and that I can actually miss doing the work. Within the last two weeks, I have had to miss two days of work. I went in on Wednesday not being able to speak (sore throat); however, I wanted to show my supervisor that I am dedicated. Now this to a school district is a "no no." Everyone hates for a sick person to come into the building and spread germs.

Last week was a very important week for GRPS; the staff had to get everything in order for Count Day. This also meant that I was given the task to help prepare for it. One of the secretaries explained that she wouldn't be at work on Friday and set out a pile of posters, wooden rulers, English/ Spanish signs, and glue sticks; I had to create signs for everyone to hold on the street corners making sure children were in school.

So this week has been pretty busy for me; I have been assigned new projects. I find out (by overhearing a phone conversation) that the person who does all the press releases, research, and interviews has actually signed with a different company. My supervisor did a lot of complaining and called different people to see who would return him a favor and join the team. At first, I thought this was strange because he could have simply asked me. I just didn't want to be a last resort.

Another week with the GRPS and things just seem all over the place, which could be a result of the students bringing guns to school at Creston. My supervisor has been everywhere. Meeting with different people, constantly on the phone, so I guess you can say I haven't been given any direct instructions on what I should be doing. Very briefly, he gave handed me a sheet of paper about Swine Flu and told me to create a insert for the GRPS newsletter. Its a good thing I am familiar with publisher or else I would have panicked.

My internship for this semester is with the Grand Rapids Public Schools District Office (my office is located in the Communications department). Pretty much, our office handles any news reports, broadcasts, media relations, all GRPS events planning, any complaints or suggestions from the Grand Rapids community regarding the schools, and directly works with the superintendent of the Board of Education. I found out about this internship from the GVSU writing website and noticed that previous students have worked here.

Well, I think it's best to split the two readings in this blog post.

Roger Munger: Technical Communication