Consider Stakeholders

Sometimes, we get lost in our efforts to communicate with others. We send too much or too little, too often or not often enough. It can be difficult to find the balance when communicating with the various groups with which we communicate during a distance learning scenario. Here are some things to consider as you create your communications plan.

Students

Provide concise and explicit communication - students have a much shorter attention span than adults so anything you communicate needs to be to the point.

Post communication in a central location - ideally, this is the LMS that you are using to post their work. Be consistent with when and how often you post so students know what the expectations are and what to expect from you.

NOTE: when centralizing communications for students, you want to be explicit with them on how to communicate with you, the teacher. If you are using an LMS such as Schoology or you have a Google Classroom, for example, be sure to let students know how to contact you - through the LMS or by email?

Families

Notifications - create a guide for parents that shows them the steps to setting up their notifications. School updates - yes. Course or group updates - yes. Teacher created course content - not so much - this will notify parents every time a new item is posted.

Streamline communication to families - families often have more than one student in your district. If you are in a larger district, each building may send its own communications. Decide which communications will come from the district, from the building and from the teachers so there is no redundancy in what the parents are receiving.

Yes, make communications available in multiple ways - that is to say: yes, post the superintendent's weekly message in your building's communication site resource center for parents to easily access. However, do NOT send the superintendent's message from each building. Receiving the message from the superintendent + from the number of buildings your children are in = information overload.

Staff

Keep your staff in the loop - any communication you share with students or parents, also share with your staff. This includes changes or updates to policy or timetables.

Streamline communication to staff - unless information is an urgent need, add it to a communique that is delivered once or twice a week (Sunday and Wednesday, for example) via building administrators or the district. This can include curriculum updates, closure information, technology updates, etc.

Making changes in software settings? - advise your staff that the system will be down for a period of time and to wait until they get the all clear from you before logging back in. Distance learning time is not the time for teachers to be caught off guard with important platforms they cannot access.

Community at Large

Share the love - keep your general community up-to-date with happenings within the school community and invite them to be a part of special events (when and where appropriate).

Build community - whether during or outside of a distance learning situation, coordinate efforts with your general community. When inviting the general community in, be sure to give them plenty of notice and specific explanations of how they can make a difference.

Invite them to coordinated events at the school (military night, grandparents' day, etc.).
Join in on community events (spreading mulch at a local church or delivering groceries to home-bound seniors, etc.).
Highlight the community - just as the school community sends articles to be posted in the local papers, highlight the local community in school papers and announcements.