{"id":14378,"date":"2024-06-07T12:35:46","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T12:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schoolstatus.com\/blog\/steps-to-creating-a-school-communication-plan"},"modified":"2024-11-19T21:52:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T21:52:28","slug":"3-steps-creating-school-communications-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schoolstatus.com\/blog\/3-steps-creating-school-communications-plan","title":{"rendered":"Steps to Creating a School Communication Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Effective communication is crucial to any organization, and schools are no different. With a comprehensive communications plan<\/a>, you\u2019ll be able to promote your school to families and the community, connect with current students, attract future ones, and even successfully engage staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A solid, actionable plan is critical for school communications success, but things are moving pretty fast these days for even the savviest communicators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An up-to-date school communications plan will help you utilize the increasing array of tools available to today’s school communicators. Given the variety of kinds of information and the modern channels for delivering school info<\/a>, planning and allocating resources has never been more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin, make sure your current communications plan is not suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From crisis communications, to urgent & time-sensitive matters, to the lunch menu postings, to developing a speakers bureau for your school, a plan can make your life a lot easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How your school handles your website, social media, emergency notifications, and simple school newsletters\u2014all these facets should come into play in one comprehensive communications plan. Even mundane communications such as posting scores of athletic events and keeping your school calendar current can be addressed in a comprehensive school communications plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow these three basic steps to create a communications plan that works well for your school. After considering these foundational steps, refer to this comprehensive School Communications Planning Guide<\/a> to begin outlining specific strategies and goals using today’s modern communications channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put the “Strategic” in Your School Communications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Mission<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

No more status quo. Examine your school\u2019s strengths and weaknesses. What makes families decide to enroll their children in your school? Why do they pass over yours to go elsewhere?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Articulate your school mission on well-founded input from key school administrators and what you know about your school\u2014and where you want it to be. The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) has some excellent resources for this stage of your planning, including how to conduct a communications audit<\/a> for your school or district and a sample outline of a strategic communications plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know ALL your audiences<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

You should also consider your current communications with staff, families, and students. Are there any disconnects you need to eliminate? Have there been misunderstandings because event information isn’t transmitted as smoothly as it could be between staff and parents? How can you better engage staff, families, and students at your school?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surveys are excellent ways to both gather key stakeholder concerns and show that you care. Perhaps your communication with staff is excellent, but there have been issues with enrollment. Are you reaching prospective students effectively? Maybe you\u2019re finding it challenging to connect with families regularly. Identify the main target groups that you need to communicate with more effectively and create your school communications plan around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use These Key Channels to Reach Your Audiences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is really about choosing the right medium. Where is your target audience and how can you reach them? The internet, of course, is one of the most important places you should be active. A school website and social media are wonderful ways to reach out to staff, parents, and especially students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Must-Have Channels for Your Planning:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n