SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Summer might be in session, but Spanish Fort Elementary School’s accolades continue with Project Jubilee students capturing one of only 13 countywide “Spotlight on Excellence” awards.

The students, under the tutelage of gifted-education teacher Lynn Hodges, earned the elementary-level “Outstanding School Columns” award.

“I am so impressed with the diligence and creativity of this group of children,” said SFES Principal Becky Comer.

“Week after week, they scoured the campus to find interesting events to share with the community. We are proud of this recognition,” she said.

Baldwin County Public Schools spokesman Terry Wilhite said the annual awards program, often called the “editor’s choice awards,” recognize the system’s top teachers pulling double duty in both the classroom and promoting schoolwide activities to the community at large.

“Our teachers who also handle school public relations responsibilities do absolutely amazing work. They showcase the work of students and their teaching colleagues and provide a window into the classroom,” Wilhite said.

While Hodges led the particular SFES project honored by the school district, first-grade teacher Jeannette Smart actually serves as the school’s public relations coordinator and took a few minutes to explain why constant communication with parents and the public is essential.

“Parents want to know what is going on in their child’s classroom as well as school. Communication needs to extend to the community as well. When people are paying taxes to support your school, they want to know what is going on too. To me, it is very important to recognize student and staff achievements,” she said.

Of course, school-level contact also helps bridge any communication gaps with the school board by “having a reliable person to communicate with,” she said.

“I decided to take on the role of the PR representative because I wanted the parents and community to know what great things we are doing everyday at our school. We have a great school and I am very proud to teach there and to send my own children there,” Smart said.

In congratulating the 2011 winners, BCPS Superintendent Alan T. Lee praised the concerted in-house promotion efforts for the positive impact it has not only on the community’s perception of a school but on the self-esteem of the students involved.

“Praising students and showcasing their accomplishments can change a child’s life forever. Sharing those accomplishments with the community allows us to join in the celebration of learning. I continue to be amazed by the talent of our teachers who do local school PR. I appreciate their work as do our parents and the community, and I certainly congratulate our 2011 winners,” Lee said in a written statement.

The other three schools honored for outstanding columns during the 2010-11 school year included Gulf Shores High School, Bay Minette Middle School and W.J. Carroll Intermediate School.

The school system also distributed nine spotlight awards countywide honoring outstanding photography. Those winners include Fairhope High School’s Jamie Forsythe, Foley High School’s Sherry Lee, Elberta Middle School’s Kim Earley, Fairhope Middle School’s Debbie Brett, Bay Minette Intermediate School’s Gail Richerson, Foley Intermediate School’s Kimberly Hale, Magnolia School’s Jan Crochet, Gulf Shores Elementary School’s Sara Altmyer and Charlene Dindo with Pelican’s Nest.