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Communication Plan
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One of the requirements for a successful school district is communicating effectively. Research has shown, through effective school correlates, that stakeholders need to be fully informed as well as understand that their voice will be heard in the decision-making process. Effective communication can only be assured through a planned program that is reviewed on a continual basis. The following paragraphs detail methods that the Swan Valley School District is using to communicate with each of these stakeholder groups:
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Stakeholder Groups
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Students
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Students are the front-line stakeholders of the Swan Valley School District's education program and extra-curricular activities. As the most essential component in this educational system, students must be given all the information necessary for success in school, as well as the skills to become fully functioning members of the global society. Comprehensive, timely, and informative data should be presented so that students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The following are methods that can be used to communicate with students:
- Word of mouth
- Web site
- Sports
- Radio
- Announcements at School
- PowerPoint daily announcements at High School
- Video announcements at the Middle School
- High School sorcerers and teacher cadets' visits to elementary schools
- Communicator
- Report cards
- Groups and Activities
- Billboards
- New student orientation
- Local newspapers
- Fliers given out at school
- Clubs
- Pre-registration in summer
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Parents
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Parents are one of the most important stakeholder groups within a school district. They send their children to the local school expecting them to be fully educated while being in a safe environment. They also expect to be informed of events within the school and kept abreast of changes affecting their children that might occur in the district. Therefore, it is imperative that this school district keeps parents informed of activities and decision making opportunities and invite involvement in both.
The following are methods that this school district will use to communicate with parents throughout the School year:
- Newsletter
- E-Mail
- Network
- Student-parent orientations
- Swan Valley Community Support Network
- Parent Workshops and information sessions
- Web page
- Phones in classrooms
- Athletic Association
- Open houses
- Local Newspapers
- Planner & Friday Folders
- Parent-teacher Conferences
- Calendar
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Staff
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The school district staff represents not only important stakeholders, but also key facilitators in the educational process. It is imperative that staff members have access to current and accurate information concerning school district policies and direction. They are a valuable resource to students, parents and community for sharing information about the district.
The staff is responsible for the development of good communication skills in students. Through continuous professional development activities, active participation in district decision-making, and daily communication with students, parents, and peers; staff members greatly influence the positive reputation our school district enjoys.
Ways to communicate with staff are:
- Staff Meetings
- Communicator
- Field trips for staff
- Inner-school mail system
- School board meetings
- School board members adopting schools
- School improvement committees
- E-Mail
- Voice Mail
- Open houses
- Christmas potluck @ Shields
- Parent-teacher Conferences
- Memos (mailbox)
- In-Service meetings
- Teachers' lounges
- Monthly staff and administration meetings
- Newsletter
- Staff web site
- Recognition dinner
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Community
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An additional important stakeholder of the school district is the surrounding community. The community has a strong effect on the educational system. It influences what is taught, how it is taught, and the attitude of the students within it. A quality school district affects the property values within its boundaries; aides in attracting families, and contributes to businesses, the arts, and culture organizations. It is a prime influence in many community enhancing endeavors. The community is the recipient of the district's finished products - its students, and it is vital in the financial support of the schools. An atmosphere of active citizenship in the schools will carry into the surrounding community.
Ways that the school district can communicate to the community are:
- Communicator
- Billboards
- Community business meetings
- Sports events
- Expanded school event participation
- Mailing newsletters to businesses and legislators
- Visitations to classrooms by community members (i.e. Career pathways calendar)
- Newsletter
- Web site
- Local newspapers
- Posters
- Senior citizens activities
- Expanded electronic communication
- Expanded homecoming parade
- Other media
- School calendars
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Outside Community
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It is important to maintain good relationships with those stakeholders outside the district for many reasons. It is to our advantage to develop a positive reputation beyond our boundaries so that we might be a premier school of choice. Also important is cultivating relationships with businesses that might offer opportunities to our schools. A good reputation will attract families with school-age children, and businesses that see the area as potentially lucrative.
Ways in which the school district could communicate outside the community are:
- Local newspapers
- Billboards
- Web site for businesses
- Utilization of realtors
- Web site
- Videos
- Open houses
- Job fairs
- MEA
- Mass mailings
- TV and radio
- Menu
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Business
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Business is an important partner to the educational process as we prepare our students for the future. By using business partnerships, we ensure that the school district educates and produces quality future employees for the business community. Business provides the vital 'hands on' experience.
It is important to establish two-way communication between business and our educational system in order to meet the changing needs of the business world.
Ways to communicate with businesses are:
- Beautification Day for high school seniors
- Staff part of Shields Business Association
- Job shadowing for high school and middle school
- Interviews for 10th graders
- Career presentations
- Interview program mock interviews
- Civics association meetings
- Annual business appreciation banquet
- Local business people coming to classrooms for involvement and observation
- Education counts (verify transcripts)
- Vocational education classes such as machine shop and welding
- BECC employer database
- Career fairs
- Co-op opportunities
- Meijer partnership
- Field trips to businesses
- Business partnerships
- Hands on experiences
- Junior Achievement type programs
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