#SchoolPR Insights
Commentary on school communications, marketing, public relations, referendum planning
and crisis communications from the team at the Donovan Group.
Communication Support for a Contentious School Board Meeting
Among all that is great about public schools is that they are governed by boards made up of community members who live alongside the families of the schools they serve. In many communities, the school board is the governing body closest to their constituents. While it may be very rare for most people to come into direct contact with their U.S. senator, they have much more access to their local school board members. At the same time, we know from history that some of the most contentious issues...
Donovan Group Updates: New Hires, New Offices, New Services
In the 15 or so years of the Donovan Group, there is only one regret that I have: naming it after myself. I have always focussed on the “group” part of the name because it is the collective group of people who comprise our firm—dedicating their considerable knowledge, skills and their goodness as people—who are responsible for the success of our clients and our firm. As we approach our 16th year in business, I am grateful to share some updates. New Offices Earlier this year, we opened offices...
Donovan Group Intelligence Delivers Surveys, Data Analysis to Schools and Districts Nationwide
The Donovan Group, a national leader in education-focused communications and community engagement, is expanding its survey, polling, focus group and data analysis services through the launch of Donovan Group Intelligence. By integrating proven research methods and emerging best practices, technology and experience, Donovan Group Intelligence empowers schools and districts to collect, store, examine and manage data from students, staff, parents, non-parent community members and others. As part...
Welcome, New Superintendents!
While the COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed so much of the work of school and district leaders, there are some traditions that carry on. This includes a changing of the guard, as new superintendents replace veterans who are soon to enjoy well-deserved retirements. We have always said that the first 100 days of a new superintendent’s term is a critical time. That’s even more true during this era of COVID-19. With that in mind, below are some communication-related tips to help you make the...
Dr. Lori Mueller to Lead School Communication Efforts in Florida
Dr. Lori M. Mueller, an experienced educational leader and superintendent who has been nationally recognized for her work in school communication, has joined the Donovan Group as the firm’s lead associate in Florida. For the past six years, Dr. Mueller has served as district administrator of the School District of Baraboo in central Wisconsin. In that time, she led significant continuous school improvement through district strategic planning processes. She also led efforts to engage community...
Key Education Dates, Events and Celebrations Throughout the Year
For any school leader, administrator or communication professional, it can be a challenge to keep track of all the holidays, holidays, events, appreciation days, weekly celebrations and other occasions that take place throughout the year. To help make this a little easier, we have compiled a list of these events for the next year, starting in July 2021 and running through June 2022. These events include national recognition months, staff appreciation weeks and various well-known and more...
DOE: Districts May Apply ESSER Funds to Communication Efforts
While the article below applies to most states, we understand that there is less clarity on the availability and application of ESSER funds in others. This is the case in our home state of Wisconsin, where federal funding is currently at risk due to the actions of the Joint Committee on Finance. The latest U.S. Department of Education guidance offers clarity on how school districts can use the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund to communicate with families, staff and...
Communication Tools Every Principal Can Use
This article was originally published by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators. When it comes to school communication, we often refer to the use of various tools. In fact, we often refer to an "invisible" toolbox that educational leaders use to communicate. As we continue to work through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is value in considering the various communication tools we have available to us—and to ensure we are using the right ones. We often speak and write...
Getting into a Rhythm with Your Social Media Content
If you're in charge of your school or school district's social media content, you've likely run into a familiar problem. It can be difficult to get into a rhythm to consistently use social media to effectively tell your district's story. For one, it's tough to find the time. Your day-to-day demands can make it feel nearly impossible to post engaging social media content as often as you would like. Plus, when there's so much already on your plate, it's a challenge to come up with a topic for a...
Alternative Graduation Ideas to Celebrate the Class of 2021
Last spring, we covered creative ideas to celebrate graduating seniors at a time when nearly all schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While many schools and districts have now returned to full in-person instruction, others continue to use hybrid models or fully virtual models. This post features some ideas for celebrating graduating seniors at a time when social distancing still remains necessary. Live-streaming graduation ceremonies Although most high schools are holding some...