Let’s start with the why first. Information from a school district usually gets disseminated via email, text messaging or by robocalling. In terms of emails many parents might not always check their emails, they might not always take the robocall which then goes into voice mail where it may not get checked, and text messages may not always be recognized quickly enough. I have received all three regarding a school closing or an announcement regarding a half day from my daughter’s school district l and will say even as a retired individual I have missed a call, text, or an email. Young parents who work and who are rushed routinely miss key district information.

The other piece of the equation is podcasts are listened to more now than the radio. If a parent is looking for some district information all they have to do is use their phone to listen and this can be done on the way to work. Information that needs to be disseminated quickly may still need an email, text, or robcall but, for events, programs, and educational content the podcast is the way to go.

The district would provide all content that is district related but educational content would be developed by the podcaster producing the show upon the request of the school district.

The podcast can be presented as a pre recorded or as a live episode. Pre recorded pieces could cover a variety of topics:

For Parents

Parenting

Bullying

Study skills

Transitioning

Respect

Responsibility

Emotional Growth

How to Help Your Child Become More Active

Managing Differences

Dealing With Stress

Helping Your Child Understand NO

Working With The School and Accepting Decisions You Might Disagree With

For Teachers

Becoming Your Personal Best

Discipline Techniques

How To Deal With Angry and Irate parents

Motivating Disaffected Students

Defusing Power Struggles

How to Balance Work and Family

School Climate

Understanding How Some Behaviors Weaken Schools

How to Avoid Rumors and Gossip

These podcasts can be recorded and placed on the districts website and would be available on Spotify or a variety of other podcasting platforms.

Live podcast could also be done where key district personnel could be interviewed, students of the month could be interviewed, the teacher of the year could do a spot, members of a play, students who have achieved or overcome, board members could all participate.

The possibilities are endless and they all benefit the students, the parents, the teachers and the district overall.

Since 1977 Jim Burns has been working with students who have learning disabilities and behavioral problems. He has almost 40 years of experience working as an administrator, teacher, college instructor, and a seminar leader. He is committed to helping administrators, parents, and teachers establish standards of excellence and to help them build successful relationships with their staff, students, and children. He has written and designed The Bully Proof Classroom, a graduate course that is offered at The College of New Jersey and LaSalle University in Pennsylvania in partnership with The Regional Training Center and is endorsed by the New Jersey Education Association. Jim was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his work in the area of anti bullying. He has also written several books on the topic of anti bullying and classroom climate. “Anti Bullying 101” is a great resource for teachers, administrator, support staff, and parents as it provides permanent help in dealing with unruly behavior and can be used as part of any anti-bullying program. He is available for on sight in-services and keynotes.

Email: jameshburns55@gmail.com
Website: www.bullyproofclassroom.com
Location: Manahawkin, Stafford Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-773-9855
Facebook: facebook.com/TheBullyProofClassroom
Twitter: @bullyproofclass