A comprehensive communication system often means the difference between parents knowing they are true partners and feeling left out. Here are five reasons every high school should invest in a comprehensive communication system, writes Tracey Widmann, principal of McDowell High School in Marion, N.C., in an eSchool News essay.
1) Keep parents informed during emergencies.
Parents depend on fast, accurate updates in critical moments. Early in the year we dealt with a Snapchat hoax that warned of an ominous threat. The rumor began in another state but reached our town quickly and left families on edge. That Monday morning, I posted a clear message about the situation and promised an update once details were confirmed. Later that day I reassured families the threat had been traced back to West Virginia and wasn’t a danger. One parent replied, “This helped ease my mind during the workday.”
2) Give parents specific opportunities to help.
Parents want to be involved with their teens’ lives and educational experience but often don’t know how. If I post a general call for volunteers, few respond. If I ask for something specific, such as shoveling mulch, chaperoning a dance, or helping with an event, parents step up. Clear, direct requests make families more willing to get involved.
3) Support teens who still need reminders.
Communication with families fills the gaps teenagers leave. How was your day? Fine. Do you have homework? No. Any events coming up? Nothing. A digital update replaces those dead ends with facts. Parents can see what students are learning, what assignments are due, and how they can help at home. Updates also prevent families from saying, “I didn’t know about that.” Students now have a record they can check anytime.
4) Enhance the school’s reputation.
The more positive stories we share, the more confidence families place in the school. Consistent communication lets us control our narrative. Last week our culinary arts students created and tested their own dessert recipes. I took photos and posted them for families to see. Instead of hearing negative stories through word of mouth, families saw students engaged in hands-on learning.
5) Manage everyday logistics.
Timely updates reduce stress and keep schedules on track. Our high school buses also transport middle school students, and driver shortages make it difficult to stay on schedule. We often run late or send a second round of buses. We post bus changes every morning, so families know exactly when to expect pick up. Parents no longer wait in the dark or sit on hold with busy phone lines.
Strong communication takes clear goals and consistent follow-through. My immediate goal is 90 percent parent connection. My visibility goal is at least one school post each day about events; right now we average five. Those daily updates keep families in the loop, give students pride in their work, and show our community that clear communication is the foundation of trust.
eSchool News
