Last Week at One Schoolhouse: 40% Plan to be Fully Digital After American Thanksgiving, With Another 36% Considering A Shift

With coronavirus cases rising swiftly across the country, we're hearing that many schools are reconsidering their on-campus plans after the American Thanksgiving holiday. We thought it'd be helpful to take the community's pulse. Almost sixty percent of respondents expect to be in-person but just over a third recognize the fluidity of the situation. One school even reported plans to be fully digital through Martin Luther King Jr day in mid-January. Now more than ever, schools need to be really, really clear in their communications and can't be afraid to have to pivot plans. Remaining transparent is key because the protection of students is our first duty. Here are a few tips to remember as you continue to communicate with your community: Remain clear and coherent: It is very important to establish clear and consistent messaging. Let students and families know your ideal plans but also the range of possibilities. There's a difference between a change of plans and a surprise change in plans, no one likes surprises. Use of different channels of communication: Schools can't reply on one method of communication, you must meet families where they are. Think about utilizing: zoom, social media, emails, phone calls or even group messaging. Use this opportunity to strengthen communication going forward. Set the right tone: It is important give families a space to ask questions and share concerns, and be respectful of the different perspectives your constituents might have. Ways to Engage: Stay tuned for our Winter PD announcement next week! Back by popular demand are: Building Trust with Faculty; Assessing & Adjusting; and Faculty Observation & Feedback. With brand new courses on: Hiring During a Pandemic; Technology Coaching; and Leading Your Department. Resources to Read & Watch: Communicating About Coronavirus? The spread of COVID-19 presents operational and communication challenges for school systems, the National School Public Relations Association has compiled helpful resources and webinars to help you respond. Schools and Child Care Programs : The most successful (and safe) schools, have 'if that, then this' plans in place. These CDC resources will help you plan, prepare and respond. As we continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to remain focused on our missions and duty of care to community our community. That was of focus of last week's Academic Leaders Webinar - watch a recording here! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Now more than ever, schools need to be really, really clear in their communications and can't be afraid to have to pivot plans. Remaining transparent is key because the protection of students is our first duty.

Here are a few tips to remember as you continue to communicate with your community:

Remain clear and coherent: It is very important to establish clear and consistent messaging. Let students and families know your ideal plans but also the range of possibilities. There's a difference between a change of plans and a surprise change in plans, no one likes surprises.
Use of different channels of communication: Schools can't reply on one method of communication, you must meet families where they are. Think about utilizing: zoom, social media, emails, phone calls or even group messaging. Use this opportunity to strengthen communication going forward.
Set the right tone: It is important give families a space to ask questions and share concerns, and be respectful of the different perspectives your constituents might have.

Ways to Engage:

Stay tuned for our Winter PD announcement next week! Back by popular demand are: Building Trust with Faculty; Assessing & Adjusting; and Faculty Observation & Feedback. With brand new courses on: Hiring During a Pandemic; Technology Coaching; and Leading Your Department.

Resources to Read & Watch:

Communicating About Coronavirus? The spread of COVID-19 presents operational and communication challenges for school systems, the National School Public Relations Association has compiled helpful resources and webinars to help you respond.
Schools and Child Care Programs: The most successful (and safe) schools, have 'if that, then this' plans in place. These CDC resources will help you plan, prepare and respond.

As we continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to remain focused on our missions and duty of care to community our community. That was of focus of last week's Academic Leaders Webinar - watch a recording here!