Communication

Communicate
Is your school prepared to communicate with students, parents and teachers, in case of an emergency that will close your school? What methods might teachers or counselors use to facilitate one-on-one interaction with students during prolonged absences or dismissals? The following questions can be used to develop your communication plan:


 * 1) Do teachers have all home and cell numbers for every parent and student?
 * 2) Do you have a plan and mechanism in place for communication with teachers, parents, and students?
 * 3) Do you have an emergency call tree and have you tested it?
 * 4) Do you have contact data for all employees in hard copy?
 * 5) How will you deal with keeping parents and media informed? Who will deal with media questions?
 * 6) If your school is not functional, who will inform the community about the changed communication methods? Who will change your website? Who will change your school phone message? Who will push a broadcast message to parents? Are parent cell phones included in broadcast messaging if landlines are down?

In addition to district websites, email, instant messaging, and phone calls, please consider the following online tools when you are making your communication plan: Blogs Facebook Skype Twitter