Review Agenda Item

Meeting Date:

2/17/2023 - 7:00 PM

Category:

School and Community Relations

Type:

Info

Subject:

2021-25 Strategic Communications & Community Engagement Plan Update

ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:

Goal 1: Systemic Alignment

ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement.

Goal 2: Instructional Excellence

ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction.

Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support

ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning.

Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation

ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments.

Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement

ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.

Policy:

KA - Goals for School Community Parent Relations

Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)

File Attachment:

230217_Board_Brief_2021-25_Strategic_Communications_Community_Engagement_Plan_Update.pdf

230217_Att1_Strategic_Communications_Community_Engagement_Plan_Update.pdf

230217_Att2_2021-25_School_and_Community_Relations_Annual_Report.pdf

230217_Att3_2021-25_Strategic_Communications_Community_Engagement_Plan.pdf

Agenda Item Summary:

In December 2021, the superintendent approved the Department of School & Community Relations’ (SCR) 2021-25 Strategic Communications & Community Engagement Plan that consists of 18 strategies and accompanying tactics that outline the work of the team until June 2025. The highlights and milestones in this report illustrate the progress that the two SCR offices have made in the last year to complete or implement the various parts of the plan based on the timeline. This plan allowed the department to align its efforts and have a clear path to improve communications, partnerships and community engagement to better serve the school community. Strategies relating to the work are also clearly stated in each snapshot in the attached 2012-22 SCR Annual Report in a concise format. In addition to a brief summary and the inclusion of what is referenced to as a “deeper dive” in the Annual Report, it provides a closer look at and understanding of a particular team’s accomplishment and focus in 2021-22.

Background:

This structure of this plan has offered the team an opportunity to build a solid framework for its work and create a deep alignment to the ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan: Equity for All. While the team supports all aspects of the Strategic Plan, you will see that the 2021-25 ACPS Strategic Communications & Community Engagement Plan is organized by four of the Strategic Plan goals most closely affiliated with the work of the SCR team. The department comprises many facets of the school division’s work including media and public relations, social, web and digital communications, photography and videography, crisis communications, internal communications, partnerships, family and community engagement, community outreach, grants, volunteers and out of school time programming. The team supports every aspect of the school division’s mission and core values and has made great strides under this structure. What this plan offers is a glimpse into the work of this team that is underway with short-term deliverables and work that spans over the next four years. It also addresses the recommendations from the 2019 Communications Audit and the 2020 Family and Community Engagement Evaluation. The SCR team carefully crafted this plan and has been working diligently to complete all components with the support of all of ACPS’ key audiences. It was built to be strategic, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based with an organized approach to evaluating the progress along the way. ACPS has entrusted this pivotal work to the SCR team and it has been able to communicate and engage at a deeper level to ensure that all students, families and staff feel part of the ACPS community through a shared voice - one that supports students to be at their very best while meeting their individual needs.

Recommendation:

The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review this update to gain a detailed understanding of the work completed and underway from the 2021-25 Strategic Communications & Community Engagement Plan that supports the communications and community partnerships and engagement needs of the school division.

Approvals:

Recommended By:
Signed By:
	Julia Burgos - Chief of School and Community Relations

Signed By:
	Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt - Interim Superintendent