28 Part IV: Communications COMMUNICATING RETURN PLAN, AND FAMILY & COMMUNITY OUTREACH WCPS recognizes the need to continually update and inform parents, students, staff and community. WCPS will continue to use traditional tools of communication with which our community is familiar: website, social media, targeted messaging through SchoolMessenger (including the addition of the option to receive text notifications), and frequent updates to local media outlets to help disseminate information. Families are more closely connected to their schools than to the district, so a majority of communications for students and their families will be shared by principals through SchoolMessenger, digital newsletters, and other platforms. District information for the media and the community as a whole will go through the Public Information Officer and/or the Director of Communications and Community Outreach, who will disseminate to the media. These Communications staff members are part of the Division of Instruction team while also serving the communication needs of the entire school system. Multiple means of communication with families, employees, and community stakeholders were utilized during the 2021-2022 school year and will continue to be utilized for the 2022-2023 school year. These communication avenues include, but are not limited to: • Automated voice and email messaging (SchoolMessenger) to families and employees, from the Superintendent and principals, concerning updates to instruction, device availability and internet connectivity, school calendar, meal bundles, and cleaning of facilities. Text messaging has been added as an option. • A dedicated email account (comments@wcboe.org), Messenger on the WCPS Facebook page and a Public Input Line (410-677-5251) for receiving and responding to messages from students, parents/guardians, other family members, and community members. Each message is reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate school or school system staff person for attention, so that a timely response can be made either by email or phone. Messages may be shared with the Superintendent for review, and the Superintendent may share details with the elected Board of Education. • Superintendent’s Report and Board Member Reports during Board of Education meetings to share information, and Public Comments time during Board meetings to receive input • Weekly digital newsletter updates from school principals • Frequent social media posts by district and schools on the social media platforms each uses, which may include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram • News releases, photos and videos • Television, radio, print and digital media news coverage • Programs and videos on Public Access Channel 14 (PAC 14) • School and Central Office support through email and phone • District website (www.wcboe.org)
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