Community Schools@100% – Innovation #6
Innovation #6 Generating public awareness and engagement
Schools@100%
Project Quick Links
Project 1
The “create the Community Schools@100% user-friendly website” project
This is where you design and launch your own family-friendly website for the public to post vital information on school services. As mentioned earlier, websites don’t just pop up easily, but there are free services online to help with design.
Deliverables: Research websites created by schools and districts across your county and state. You might even find great ideas across the nation and globe. Present your findings on user-friendliness of existing local websites to the 100% New Mexico team. After feedback, network with local community school folks (including a web designer and graphic designer) to explore creating a user-friendly website that houses easy-to-understand information. You can also include information on your Community Schools@100% action team and how you are working to improve services as all schools. (Suggested time frame: 3–6 months)
Project 2
The “be patient and focused” project
Even completing a few of these projects will place you among the best-educated one percent when it comes to community schools in your area. One way to put that knowhow to good use is by serving on an advisory board or commission. Many, but not all, school, city, county and higher education organizations have them, and there are often more generic community advisory boards or advisory panels often needing members. This is your opportunity to ensure that community school progress is heard and that alignment of services becomes a reality.
Deliverables: Attend at least a quarter’s worth of meetings, then present to the 100% New Mexico team your analysis of current committee/task force working groups — including how data-driven and result-focused they appear to be. The goal is to work in alignment and offer mutual support with all those working to improve schools. (Suggested time frame: 4 months)
Project 3
The “email Community Schools@100% often” project
Emails and social marketing are good tools for outreach here. Social marketing strategies, just like website development, can be challenging, yet there are “how to” websites that can help you to facilitate this process. You should work to reach all stakeholders who have the concerns of families (and all residents) on their radar. You can send updates on all the work of your action teams to raise awareness and garner support.
Populations to target:
- Youth-serving groups
- Family-serving groups
- Faith-based groups
- Cultural groups
- Elected officials
- School staff
- School-based community agencies
- School district innovators
- School based health care providers
- Local health care providers and agencies providing medical, dental and mental health care
Deliverables: Identify the most tech-savvy in your network, then create a countywide list of stakeholders to email. Create a rough message and graphic identity for your messaging. Test it out with the 100% New Mexico team and community school supporters and providers, tweak, and off you go. If you use a mailing service that can track your email’s performance, check open rates after three months to assess responses. If you simply email your network directly, gauge how many of the messages receive a reply or initiated action. (Suggested time frame: 4 months)
