When the unexpected happens, preparation determines whether crisis communication builds confidence or fuels confusion. Two of our ESD 112 Communications Managers, Anna Hixon and Dania Tolentino, recently completed FEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) training to strengthen our team’s crisis response capacity. While the training focused on emergency management and public information, many of the lessons are directly relevant to supporting school districts and community partners.
When the unexpected happens, preparation determines whether crisis communication builds confidence or fuels confusion. Two of our ESD 112 Communications Managers, Anna Hixon and Dania Tolentino, recently completed FEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) training to strengthen our team’s crisis response capacity. While the training focused on emergency management and public information, many of the lessons are directly relevant to supporting school districts and community partners.
When the unexpected happens, preparation determines whether crisis communication builds confidence or fuels confusion. Two of our ESD 112 Communications Managers, Anna Hixon and Dania Tolentino, recently completed FEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) training to strengthen our team’s crisis response capacity. While the training focused on emergency management and public information, many of the lessons are directly relevant to supporting school districts and community partners.
Mass communication tools help districts send urgent messages through multiple channels at the same time, including text messages (SMS), emails, and automated voice calls.[dsm_icon_list icon_color="#D4217D" icon_background_color="RGBA(255,255,255,0)"...
What does 'normal and regular' communication practices mean?In Washington state, public school districts must follow strict guidelines around the use of public resources in elections and during election periods. The state Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) provides...
Key RCWs and Implementation ExamplesWhen you're adding required content to your website, try to balance what your users need with what the rules say you have to include. The good news is that most of this info won’t need regular updates, so you can usually handle it...
Copyright Basics by the Book Copyright is automatic: Once an image or font is created, it’s protected—no registration is required by the creator. Copyright protects usage: Copying, distributing, or modifying requires permission unless an exception like fair use...
Start Before the Sirens The best crisis communications don’t begin during a crisis. They start with relationships, planning, and clear internal workflows. Build your plan now, not during an emergency. Draft holding statements Identify your spokespeople Create a...
Open with a Good Story Hook your audience from the first slide. You don’t need to be able to cite Shakespeare. In fact, sharing a relatable story in your own words can help set the tone and draw people in.Design for Clarity, Not Complexity Stick with clean and...
NOTE: These tips do not replace the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. Always refer to these guidelines and recommendations above anything else.Designing Accessible Presentations from the Start Presentations are a powerful way to share ideas, but like...
Here are practical ways to incorporate AI into your daily communications routine:Content Generation and Editing Transform your rough drafts into polished content using AI writing assistants to refine tone, correct grammar, and ensure consistency. These tools can help...
1. Launch with a Clear Overview First, introduce the superintendent search. Share the board’s goals and emphasize that community input will be a key component in the selection process. For example: “The [Your School District] Board of Directors has initiated the...