Promote positive culture, climate and communication

Hamilton County Schools is a large organization that serves 45,000 students and their families, in communities across 79 schools. We must maintain strong communication at every level. Our families must feel welcome in our schools, as should educators and students. To maximize student success, the district will foster a culture and climate of collaboration involving staff, teachers, students, parents, and the community.

Action Steps:

• Develop district framework and expand Community Schools model based on customized needs assessment of schools and surrounding communities.
• Collaboratively develop a shared vision for the role of family engagement specialists and grow their capacity to implement this vision toward improved community engagement.
• Establish transparent, formal structures for improved community partnerships with business, civic and faith-based organizations to support schools.
• Select and implement a district-wide climate survey for parents, students, and teachers at every school to determine perceived strengths, as well as opportunities for improvement related to school climate and key district initiatives.
• Implement a strategic communications plan that utilizes the best communications channels (including multi-media, social networking, etc.) to reach the target audiences of parents, students, teachers and the community to share the work of Hamilton County Schools.
• Develop a strong working relationship with local media to further the mission of the school system and assist the print, broadcast and online journalists in their efforts to inform the community.