What is a Press Release?
A press release is an official statement delivered to a media source (such has a newspaper or TV station) for the purpose of providing information and sharing something newsworthy.
Writing a press release is a great way to further your project’s impact by sharing your message with the community.
Depending on your project, you can deliver your press release to a local media source like a community newspaper/newsletter. Furthermore, you can also submit your press release to your district or school’s newspaper/publication.
A press release is made up of 4 parts
Part 1 – Title
Describe your project and include info about your team.
Part 2 – Paragraph 1
- Write your “Dateline”- your location and the date. Example: “LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 5, 2021.”
- Describe yourself, your school and/or team and why this Grades of Green Project is important to you!
- Introduce the Grades of Green Project you or your school is implementing and briefly answer who, what, where, when and why for your project ?
- What is newsworthy about this Grades of Green Project.
(Is there going to be a big impact or a lot of people involved? Is it the first green action at your school? Is it new to your community? Did you meet your goal?)
A group of intrepid students at Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) will be asking the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) School Board to keep its campuses plastic-bottle-free during the upcoming school board meeting to be held on March 4, 2020. These students have chosen to advocate for this important change as part of their participation in Grades of Green’s Climate Solutions Campaign program, which is designed to empower students with the leadership skills and support they need to turn their environmental dreams for their community into reality. If the school board adopts the students’ proposal, MBUSD could be the first in the nation to completely ban the distribution of single-use plastic bottles on campus.
Part 3 – Paragraph 2
- Give details on the project’s impacts and activities including how the team will start the project.
- If you’re working with other organizations or partners, describe how they are involved.
- Quotes from others: Consider including a quote from one of your team members or someone else at the school–a principal, your teacher, Team Facilitator, etc.– about why they’re proud of what you’re doing. You can ask them to write one.
To support their proposal, the students will present their research on the environmental and public health impact of single-use plastic to the school board. A ban on plastic water bottles would not only prohibit their sales on campus but would also include a district-wide educational campaign that the MBMS students would help roll out.
“These students have already made a difference because many of them came to our board meeting last year and started us on this path,” said Dr. Michael Matthews, MBUSD Superintendent. “Our school district leads the nation in environmental action, and I love that these students continue to push us to do more.” The City of Manhattan Beach and MBUSD have a long history of leading the nation in environmental action, in part due to the consistent advocacy of Grades of Green’s passionate students.
Part 4 – Paragraph 3
- Include some statistics on the environmental benefits of your Grades of Green Project: how much waste, water, energy, toxins, or air pollution is being reduced etc.
- Give any additional, helpful information about your project or event. How should someone register to participate? Where is your Grades of Green Project being held?
To support their proposal, the students will present their research on the environmental and public health impact of single-use plastic to the school board. A ban on plastic water bottles would not only prohibit their sales on campus but would also include a district-wide educational campaign that the MBMS students would help roll out.
“These students have already made a difference because many of them came to our board meeting last year and started us on this path,” said Dr. Michael Matthews, MBUSD Superintendent. “Our school district leads the nation in environmental action, and I love that these students continue to push us to do more.”
The City of Manhattan Beach and MBUSD have a long history of leading the nation in environmental action, in part due to the consistent advocacy of Grades of Green’s passionate students.
- Are there other ways your audience can get involved or is there any other information you want to share?
- What is the future for this Grades of Green Project at your school?
- How will your work continue in the coming years?
Write Your Press Release
Download the following worksheet and fill it out with your team to write your own press release.
When you complete your press release, send it to your advisor to review. Wait for feedback from your advisor before submitting to any media outlet.
Once the press release is final, we will help you spread the word!
Pick the Media Outlets to Pitch!
Think of 3 media outlets you would like to submit your Press Release to (after it is reviewed by your Advisor). Examples: Local/community newspaper, local tv station, school newsletter or paper
Secret Bonus Point Opportunity
Follow Grades of Green
Earn a bonus point on your RISE campaign by connecting with us on social media! To earn the full point, have your entire team like and follow us on instagram. If you would like to take it a step further, share our content with your friends and family to get them involved as well. Also, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Return to Phase 3.1
Move Forward to Phase 3.2
Looking for Another Page? Head over to the Campaign’s Table of Contents.