WE HAVE A COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR?
Yes we do! I’m usually behind the scenes but am thrilled to be taking over the blog today to introduce myself and the work I do here at MRPS! I joined the MRPS central office team in 2019 as Communications Coordinator and Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. I love my job and my incredible colleagues and feel so privileged to work with our students and the communities of Montpelier and Roxbury every day!
WHY IS SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS IMPORTANT?
Effective school communication creates a collaborative and supportive network of students, faculty, staff, school board members, caregivers, community members, education associations and agencies, community and caregiver organizations, the media, and others. By 1) keeping all audiences well informed and facilitating the exchange of information in a clear and concise way, 2) promoting involvement, 3) building trust and a two-way stream of communication, and 4) celebrating achievements, effective school communication strengthens the educational experience for all students and contributes to the overall success of the district and greater community.
WHAT DOES OUR SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR DO?
I manage our district website to ensure all of the most commonly needed information is easily accessible: school calendars, handbooks, school board materials, bus routes, staff directories, lunch menus, curriculum, and more. I’m behind the camera and microphone creating content for and managing our district Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, blog, podcast, and vlog to celebrate achievements and to dive deeper into the strategic goals of our district and how we’re achieving them. I support our principals with their school webpages and newsletters (UES Swoop Scoop, RVS The Buzz, MSMS Gator News, MHS Solon Salutes) to help keep our communities informed about all the things impacting their students. I support our administrators to improve internal communications and procedures: human resources, professional learning, negotiated agreements with our unions, and more. I support our Curriculum, Student Support Services, Social Emotional Learning and Wellness, Facilities, Human Resources and Business Office, and Food Service Directors to ensure access to important, relevant, clear, responsive, and up to date information. I support logistics for our school board by keeping meeting minutes and helping with policies and the budget each year. I work closely with our safety teams to ensure our safety protocols are up to date and clearly communicated throughout the district and with our local emergency responders. And I work collaboratively with MRPS Partners in Education, the City of Montpelier, the Town of Roxbury, the Vermont Agency of Education, reporters from our local news media, and other groups representing caregivers and the wider community.
HOW DO WE KNOW IF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS ARE SUCCESSFUL?
We look at data! What kinds of data? I look at data including, but not limited to, web analytics, social media engagement metrics, and opens/reads/clicks/plays on blogs, vlogs, podcasts, and newsletters. I also frequently analyze feedback received anecdotally and through public comment at school board meetings, responses to surveys sent out such as the End of Year Caregiver surveys, the school board District-Wide Visioning Committee survey, the annual faculty and staff climate survey administered by the school board, student surveys, and others.
And now introducing, for the first time ever, the Montpelier Roxbury School District Annual School Communications Survey! We want to hear from YOU!
What communications channels do you currently rely on most?
What are your top preferences for communications channels we could invest more in?
How do you feel about the quality of our communications to date?
How are we doing with personalized and two-way communications?
What do you want to learn/hear more about from MRPS?
