Communications Project - Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District

For the past sixteen months, the Maple-Dale-Indian Hill School District has been working to assess communication strategies for internal stakeholders (i.e., students, staff, and families) as well as external stakeholders (i.e., community). A communications project team was convened to assess and implement online communications strategies. Research shows that families and staff want to be able to access information quickly, but not be overwhelmed with the process.

Communications team participants included and focus groups were developed to analyze internal and external calendars, internal news and information, and delivering engaging classroom and school news. As part of the project, data was collected regarding perception and usage. Assessment of practice showed online communications are not engaging and/or not sent through proper individual school channels. Beta tests of process and procedure, as well as new communication tools, were conducted and analyzed by focus groups. Implications for future work include recommendations to be transparent, concise, and consistent when communicating with families, staff, and the community and to provide consistent data analysis and goal setting regarding engagement.