Communication is easy...right?

Maybe you are asking yourself why a school needs to have a plan to communicate.  Communication is simple, right? 

First, don't take anything for granted.  When we talk about public education, we are also talking the the broadest sense about the community and it's future.  We are facing many challenges including state funding, college-readiness, new models of testing, and fundamental changes within education.  Voices from all sides are asking questions and expecting answers from us. 

Now more than ever we need to create understanding about what role public education plays in our community - in the success of our students - and how we are stewards to the promise of doubling the number of students getting to and through college or secondary education.  We face many challenges, and each of us needs to have a clear understanding of the roles we play. 

Start by asking questions.

When starting to create a communications plan, we first need to look backward instead of forward. 

What is the foundation on which your plan will be built?  Do you already have strategies in place you are using at the campus level to communicate?  Are they effective?  Do you who your target audiences are and the messages you need to provide to them?  Do you know what role your school plays in moving the needle of T-2-4?  Do you know what role you play in achieving that goal?

Getting Started

Step 1 - Assess Current Methods
List all the tools you are currently using to communicate with your parents and staff.
For example: Website, newsletter, social media, weekly principal blog

Step 2 - Effective or No?
Do you know if your methods of outreach are effective? How do you know your message is reaching the audience you want to target?  Do you cross market your media?   Do you track open rates or site visit? 

Step 3 - Ask
A great way to find out if your message is getting out is to create a working group.