JCCS Communications Plan 1411 College St Monticello GA 31064 706-468-6350 The purpose of the Jasper County Charter System (JCCS) Communication Plan is to present a clear framework for communicating with all stakeholders. The plan therefore addresses both internal (staff, students and parents/guardians) and external stakeholders (community members, media and other organizations). A team including a representative from the stakeholder groups will be involved in developing and revising the JCCS Communication Plan. Review and/or revision of the plan will occur annually. The plan will be aligned to the JCCS Strategic Improvement Plan. While this represents a substantial start on developing a comprehensive communication plan, it requires the input and direct involvement of the groups stated above in order to prepare a final plan. Our goal is to create transparent, two-way communication between the Board of Education, administrators, staff, students, parents/guardians and all external stakeholders. Goals 1. Position JCCS as a model for quality teaching, learning and student achievement for the citizens of Jasper County. Objectives ❖ Develop clear, consistent messages that are delivered in “one clear voice.” Action steps: ➢ Create a theme aligned with Mission/Vision ➢ Develop consistent procedures for staff, board and key communicators. ■ Use of a Google account hub for collection of information on the district level [email protected]● Utilization of Google Apps and Blackboard Web tools to collect website and social media notices. ● Calendar updates made by Google Calendar managers at each school and the district office. *See contact list, Appendix I . ● Email notifications sent in either ParentLink or MailChimp to track user activity. 2. Foster positive relationships among all students and stakeholders. Work with community organizations such as Family Connections, Jasper County Mentoring Program and DFCS, as well as school administrators, school social workers, counselors, and school attendance officers to develop and distribute a
Transcript
JCCS Communications Plan 1411 College St
Monticello GA 31064 706-468-6350
The purpose of the Jasper County Charter System (JCCS) Communication Plan is to present a clear framework for communicating with all stakeholders. The plan therefore addresses both internal (staff, students and parents/guardians) and external stakeholders (community members, media and other organizations). A team including a representative from the stakeholder groups will be involved in developing and revising the JCCS Communication Plan. Review and/or revision of the plan will occur annually.
The plan will be aligned to the JCCS Strategic Improvement Plan. While this represents a substantial start on developing a comprehensive communication plan, it requires the input and direct involvement of the groups stated above in order to prepare a final plan. Our goal is to create transparent, two-way communication between the Board of Education, administrators, staff, students, parents/guardians and all external stakeholders.
Goals 1. Position JCCS as a model for quality teaching, learning and student achievement for the
citizens of Jasper County.
Objectives
❖ Develop clear, consistent messages that are delivered in “one clear voice.” Action steps:
➢ Create a theme aligned with Mission/Vision ➢ Develop consistent procedures for staff, board and key communicators.
■ Use of a Google account hub for collection of information on the district level [email protected]
● Utilization of Google Apps and Blackboard Web tools to collect website and social media notices.
● Calendar updates made by Google Calendar managers at each school and the district office. *See contact list, Appendix I.
● Email notifications sent in either ParentLink or MailChimp to track user activity.
2. Foster positive relationships among all students and stakeholders. Work with community organizations such as Family Connections, Jasper County Mentoring Program and DFCS, as well as school administrators, school social workers, counselors, and school attendance officers to develop and distribute a
comprehensive manual with a list of outside agencies and related services available to assist our families. Provide reciprocal service by participating and and serving on boards of community and civic organizations. Objectives
❖ Develop a media management process that promotes the use of a standardized format to send and receive communications.
➢ Publish positive accomplishments through newsletters, newspapers, websites, public address systems, bulletin boards, etc.
➢ District newsletter supplemental edition to the local newspaper four times a year
➢ Distribute external publications and news releases to employees via email, website, and/or internal communication processes
➢ Update both district and school websites ➢ Recognize business partners at various levels ➢ Extend partnerships with various agencies and businesses in the
community ➢ Encourage students and staff to communicate happenings ➢ Encourage school staff to share information about Jasper County
Charter System with friends, neighbors, and community members ➢ Use guidance programs, PBIS and Teachers as Advisors, to focus
on character education and to foster positive relationships among the student body
➢ Utilize school functions—athletic, CTAE, etc.--to advertise the Jasper County Charter System messages to stakeholders (example: Public Address Systems)
Monitoring
❖ Monitor Jasper County Charter System student and stakeholder involvement through the District’s Strategic Plan
❖ Provide at least one annual training session for increasing media coverage of educational initiatives and for advancing public relations opportunities
❖ Continue to ➢ coordinate school, district, and board efforts to ensure media coverage of
educational initiatives, programs, and events ➢ seek opportunities to further promote openness and transparency in all
functions of Board of Education initiatives ➢ expand opportunities to market the school district to prospective students and
their families ➢ provide district representation at civic, school, and community meetings
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➢ establish and build relationships with businesses and organizations within the community
➢ use social media including Facebook and Twitter as a means of communicating emergency and non-emergency information
➢ review, update, and expand school district partnerships ➢ expand various features of the school district’s website to more effectively
communicate with stakeholders ➢ encourage all stakeholders to adhere to the chain of command which will
facilitate communication at all levels
Communication Methods
School Level ❖ Email for all staff ❖ Phone with voicemail for office staff ❖ Local School Governance Teams (SGTs) ❖ Local Media ❖ Surveys ❖ Parent/teacher conferences, other face-to-face meetings, emails, texts, and phone
calls ❖ PTO meetings ❖ School and teacher letters/newsletters ❖ School and teacher websites ❖ School marquee boards/signs ❖ Social media (Facebook and Twitter) ❖ Surveys and Blogs ❖ Videos ❖ Infinite Campus Parent Portal ❖ ParentLink automated calling system ❖ Students’ weekly/monthly/quarterly folders ❖ Parent training sessions ❖ Parent representatives on various committees ❖ Shared Google parent/student calendars ❖ Student handbooks ❖ Booster club meetings ❖ Student leadership activities during club times ❖ Open House activities
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District Level ❖ GSBA’s eBOARD Solutions ❖ ParentLink automated calling system ❖ Climate surveys ❖ District website ❖ Email and phone with voicemail for all staff ❖ Informal community presentations ❖ Community, civic, and business partnerships ❖ Face-to-face meetings, conferences, email, and phone calls with stakeholders ❖ Media, including Back-to-School supplemental edition to the newspaper ❖ District meetings with all stakeholders ❖ Infinite Campus Parent Portal ❖ Printed publications (newspaper, flyers, etc.) ❖ Videos and televised meetings ❖ Public address announcements at various events ❖ District office representation at community/civic/governmental functions and events ❖ Social media including Facebook and Twitter Board of Education ❖ GSBA’s eBOARD Solutions ❖ Board meetings ❖ Online Board minutes ❖ Email and phone ❖ Face-to-face meetings ❖ Local media ❖ Online feedback on proposed board policies ❖ Public participation ❖ Surveys ❖ Videos ❖ Attendance at community events, functions, meetings, civic activities, etc. ❖ Public address announcements ❖ Social media including Facebook and Twitter ❖ Attendance at school events, including extracurricular, CTAE, performing arts, etc.
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Social Media Use Jasper County Charter System recognizes that access to technology in school gives students, parents and teachers greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping students develop 21st-century technology and communication skills. To that end, this Acceptable Use Policy outlines the guidelines and behaviors that users are expected to follow when using school technologies or when using personally-owned devices on the school campus. We’ve created these social networking/media guidelines for you to follow when representing the school in the virtual world. Use good judgment
● We expect you to use good judgment in all situations. ● You must know and follow the school’s Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy. ● Regardless of your privacy settings, assume that all of the information you have shared
on your social network is public information.
Be respectful ● Always treat others in a respectful, positive and considerate manner.
Be responsible and ethical
● If you are approved to represent the school, unless you are specifically authorized to speak on behalf of the school as a spokesperson, you should state that the views expressed in your postings, etc. are your own. Stick with discussing school-related matters that are within your area of responsibility.
● Be open about your affiliation with the school and the role/position you hold. Be a good listener
● Keep in mind that one of the biggest benefits of social media is that it gives others another way to talk to you, ask questions directly and to share feedback.
● Be responsive others when conversing online. Provide answers, thank people for their comments, and ask for further feedback, etc.
● Always be doing at least as much listening and responding as you do “talking.”
Don’t share the following: Confidential information
● Do not publish, post or release information that is considered confidential or not public. If it seems confidential, it probably is. Online “conversations” are never private. Do not use your birth date, address, and cell phone number on any public website.
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Private and personal information ● To ensure your safety, be careful about the type and amount of personal information you
provide. Avoid talking about personal schedules or situations. ● NEVER give out or transmit personal information of students, parents, or co-workers. ● Don’t take information you may receive through social networking (such as e-mail
addresses, customer names or telephone numbers) and assume it’s the most up-to-date or correct.
● Always respect the privacy of the school community members.
Please be cautious with respect to: Images
● Respect brand, trademark, copyright information and/or images of the school (if applicable).
● You may use photos and video (products, etc.) that are available on the school’s website.
● It is generally not acceptable to post pictures of students without the expressed written consent of their parents.
● Do not post pictures of others (co-workers, etc.) without their permission. Other sites
● A significant part of the interaction on blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other social networks involves passing on interesting content or linking to helpful resources. However, the school is ultimately responsible for any content that is shared. Don’t blindly repost a link without looking at the content first.
● Pay attention to the security warnings that pop up on your computer before clicking on unfamiliar links. They actually serve a purpose and protect you and the school.
● When using Twitter, Facebook and other tools, be sure to follow their printed terms and conditions.
And if you don’t get it right…
● Be sure to correct any mistake you make immediately, and make it clear what you’ve done to fix it.
● Apologize for the mistake if the situation warrants it. ● If it’s a MAJOR mistake (e.g., exposing private information or reporting confidential
information), please let someone know immediately so the school can take the proper steps to help minimize the impact it may have.
Netiquette ● Users should always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous
and respectful manner. ● Users should also recognize that among the valuable content online is unverified,
incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should use trusted sources when conducting research via the Internet.
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● Users should also remember not to post anything online that they wouldn’t want parents, teachers, or future colleges or employers to see. Once something is online, it’s out there—and can sometimes be shared and spread in ways you never intended.
Personal Safety If you see a message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes you concerned for your personal safety, bring it to the attention of an adult (teacher or staff if you’re at school; parent if you’re using the device at home) immediately.
● Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information, over the Internet without adult permission.
● Users should recognize that communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and associated risks, and should carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others.
Cyberbullying Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, dissing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyberstalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Don’t be mean. Don’t send emails or post comments with the intent of scaring, hurting, or intimidating someone else. Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime. Remember that your activities are monitored and retained by others.
Crisis Communications
Objectives ❖ Utilize superintendent or superintendent’s designee as spokesperson for the district ❖ Advise school principals and staff in managing crisis communications ❖ Advise school board members on appropriate role in crisis or emergency ❖ Provide timely, accurate information to internal and external audiences ❖ Work closely with the media to provide accurate, timely information
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Appendix I JCCO - District Website: www.jasper.k12.ga.us Twitter: JCCS - @JasperCharter JCCS Instructional Technology - @TeachnEdTech YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JCCSGA Cara Bockholt 706-468-6350 ext 127
