RJ's Birdhouse, an animated series created by Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Public Information Coordinator Christopher Cassavecca, has received national recognition from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
RJ's Birdhouse was created to help elementary students better understand Red Jacket's Cardinals CARE values: Cooperation, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence and earned an Honorable Mention in the Best Video Series category.
The series follows Little RJ, Red Jacket's baby cardinal mascot, as students share what the CARE values look like in everyday situations. Through animation and student voices, each episode helps young learners connect the district's values to real-life experiences in the classroom, on the playground, and throughout the school day.
Since its launch, RJ's Birdhouse has become a regular part of elementary school life. Teachers use the videos during morning meetings, classroom lessons, and assemblies to reinforce positive behavior and build a shared understanding of expectations. Episodes are also shared with families so they can continue those conversations at home.
Students have played an important role in the project as well. Older students have helped with interviews, filming, and shaping episode content, giving them opportunities to develop leadership skills while serving as role models for younger learners.
The series was designed to make the Cardinals CARE values more meaningful and memorable for students. By featuring familiar faces and real examples from school life, RJ's Birdhouse helps bring those values to life and strengthen the positive culture of the elementary school.
This national recognition highlights the success of the series in supporting character education, student engagement, and school communication while helping students understand what it means to live the Cardinals CARE values every day.
Thousands of entries were submitted nationwide. Each entry was judged against organizations of a similar size and type, with reviewers evaluating both the quality of the work and its effectiveness.
Cassavecca, who began working at W-FL BOCES in February 2022, also received an Award of Excellence in the Website category for the “Cardinals Care” campaign and an Award of Merit in the Strategic Campaign category for “Becoming Cardinals” from the New York School Public Relations Association in its 2025 annual Communications Contest.
Congratulations, Chris!