communication Archives

When seconds matter: Why in-building coverage is a lifeline for school safety

January 28, 2026 by Payam Maveddat, Wilson Connectivity

Every student, teacher, and responder deserves the same chance to communicate in an emergency, and school communications coverage is critical

During a school emergency, every minute that passes is crucial, but in those moments, a reliable connection can mean the difference between confusion and coordinated response.

IT Innovations

Connected campuses: Modernizing education communications for safety and simplicity

January 12, 2026 by Damon Covey, GoTo

Modernized education communication isn't just convenient, but functions to bolster safety and responsiveness.

Schools, colleges, and universities face growing challenges in keeping their communities informed, connected, and engaged.

Edtech Trends

49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026

January 16, 2026January 1, 2026 by Laura Ascione

Schools face challenges and opportunities to innovate, integrate new edtech practices, and move beyond classroom walls for lifelong education.

As K-12 schools prepare for 2026, edtech and innovation are no longer driven by novelty--it’s driven by necessity. District leaders are navigating tighter budgets, shifting enrollment, rising cybersecurity…

District Management

From fragmented to family-first: Our district’s communication reboot

December 3, 2025 by Johnathan Graves, Debbie Leonard, & Anna Haynes, Greenwood 50 School District

The shift from siloed to shared communication helped a district reach new levels of accessibility and engagement.

In Greenwood 50, our story began with a challenge shared by many districts: too many tools, not enough connection. With more than 8,000 students across 15 schools, our…

School Management

Why education leaders must highlight their people

October 20, 2025 by Steven M. Baule, Ed.D., Ph.D.

When education leaders illuminate their teams' achievements, they don't diminish their own leadership, but they enhance it.

When I asked my executive assistant to proof my first superintendent’s report for the public board packet, she came back and said that she was surprised that I…

District Management

The superintendent survival kit: Transparency and truth in communications

November 7, 2025October 16, 2025 by Greg Turchetta, Apptegy

When it comes to superintendents and transparency, true leadership means standing up, accepting interviews, and answering tough questions.

As superintendents come under more political fire and frequent negative news stories about their school districts circulate, it is easy to see where the instinct to not comment…

School Management

Rethinking the role of guest teachers

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 by Johanna A. Tortosa Earsley, School District of Lee County

One Florida district shows how investing in guest teachers transforms school culture, improves fill rates, and supports student success.

When I think about the importance of consistent classroom coverage, I always come back to the idea that students deserve to feel like their classroom is their home…

District Management

Beyond AI: Human connection still drives school attendance

November 7, 2025August 28, 2025 by Dr. Kara Stern, SchoolStatus

When it comes to school attendance, showing up to school is a human decision driven by authentic relationships--not AI.

At ISTE this summer, I lost count of how many times I heard "AI" as the answer to every educational challenge imaginable. Student engagement? AI-powered personalization!

Emergency Planning & Response

Preventing harm by connecting the dots in school safety

August 22, 2025 by Amanda Lewis, Versaterm

Swatting is just one example of how fragmented behavioral data can contribute to high-risk outcomes in school safety scenarios.

Swatting--false reports of school violence intended to trigger a police response--continues to increase across the country. During the 2022–2023 school year, nearly 64 percent of reported violent incidents…

School Management

From disconnection to partnership: How consistent communication transformed our school culture

August 21, 2025 by Farnaz Heydari, Grant Elementary School

Consistent communication from schools to communities leads to proactive family involvement, student ownership, and a sense of belonging.

When I became principal of Grant Elementary a decade ago, I stepped into a school community that needed to come together. Family involvement was low, staff morale was…

AI in Education

Growing AI use in school PR leads to roadmap for responsible use

November 7, 2025August 18, 2025 by ESchool Media Contributors

New guidance reinforces that AI is most effective when paired with human oversight and school communication rooted in trust.

A new collaborative report from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and engagement platform ThoughtExchange reveals a swift rise in the use of AI in K-12 communication…

District Management

Report highlights growing movement to elevate student voice in school communications

November 7, 2025August 14, 2025 by ESchool News Staff

Schools have opportunities to use student voice as a powerful tool for addressing challenges like chronic absenteeism and engagement.

As K-12 leaders look for ways to strengthen trust, engagement, and belonging, a growing number of districts are turning to a key partner in the work: their students.

District Management

6 steps to transforming parent engagement, one message at a time

November 7, 2025August 1, 2025 by Megan Cahill-Clark, Grove Park Elementary

The right communications platform helps districts foster deeper family and parent engagement and bridge school communication gaps.

We always want to make it easy for families to receive, consume, and respond to our messages, and our new communications platform helps us achieve that goal.

Innovation Insights

ISTE25 Takeaways—Bloomz Unveils Immersive Translation and Conversational AI to Simplify and Strengthen the School-Home Connection

July 22, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

An educator and former supe details the importance of teletherapy and embracing tech-based solutions in schools to meet students' needs.

To bridge language barriers, streamline school operations, and enhance family engagement, Bloomz, the leading all-in-one school communication and engagement platform, ... Read more

Live @ ISTE 2025

North Carolina District Wins ISTE 2025 Distinguished Award for AI Leadership and Parent Engagement Innovation

July 10, 2025July 8, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

Kimberley Thompson-Hairston, Director of Instructional Technology and Media for Stokes County Schools and Chad Stevens, Head of K-12 Engagement for ... Read more

Literacy

Beyond formulas: Embracing complexity in writing instruction

July 8, 2025 by Brett Stamm, University of Southern Mississippi & Tiffany Larson, University of Central Oklahoma

Through thoughtful design and teaching, students can become flexible and skilled writers able to tackle the challenges of writing instruction

Early in our careers, when we were fresh-faced and idealistic (we still are!) the prepackaged curriculum and the advice of more experienced colleagues was the go-to resource.

Live @ ISTE 2025

Showfloor News: Edlio’s new analytics dashboard boosts engagement

June 30, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Edlio, a provider of K–12 school communication solutions, announced significant enhancements to its Mass Communication system and mobile app. The ... Read more

AI in Education

You’re using ChatGPT? A true story about why AI literacy starts with us

June 24, 2025 by Nesren El-Baz, ESL Educator

Responsible AI use and AI literacy are not just about the technology--they're about curiosity, judgment, integrity, and communication.

Math isn’t my strongest subject, and when a student asked me to help solve an equation involving angles as I covered for a fellow teacher, I hesitated. Rather…

COVID in Schools

Educators reflect on post-COVID learning

April 9, 2025 by Laura Ascione

COVID left its mark on education--and educators say some impacts were good, others were bad, and still others remain frustrating.

The COVID-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on K-12 education, placing immense pressure on teachers as they adapted, literally overnight, to new methods of instruction.

District Management

6 ways tech simplifies school communication and engagement

November 7, 2025April 3, 2025 by Lisa Melashenko & Elena Clemente, Alisal Union School District

Districts often struggle with school communicat, but new platforms help ensure the right messages reach the right groups.

As technology trainers, we support teachers’ and administrators’ technology platform needs, training, and support in our district. We do in-class demos and share as much as we can…

Digital Learning Tools

Post-pandemic, a new era of teaching and learning

March 17, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Schools are embracing innovation and AI for teaching & learning to meet students' needs in equitable and accessible ways after the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on K-12 education, reshaping how students learn and educators teach. As schools closed their doors, remote learning became the primary mode…

District Management

How schools can effectively manage student activity funds with digital wallets

March 4, 2025 by Jamie Rosenberg, ClassWallet

Digital wallets can save time and reduce the management burden on student organizations' advisors and coaches.

Earlier this year, students on a Florida debate team were devastated to discover that their coach had stolen thousands of dollars from the club’s student activity fund, emptying…

Innovation in Education

Navigating Special Education with Open Communication

February 20, 2025 by Laura Ascione

Expert IEP founder Antoinette Banks outlines how special education has been chronically underfunded for decades—and how the potential dismantling of the Department of Education adds new complications.

District Management

Elevating family leadership to foster student success

November 7, 2025February 10, 2025 by Marcela Andrés, designEDengagement, PBC

Collaboration through family leadership turns schools into high-quality learning spaces that offer equitable opportunities to all students.

Meticulously scrubbing floors until they gleam, braving the scorching sun while securing heavy shingles atop a roof, or navigating the relentless chaos of a packed food line--these aren’t…

Digital Learning Tools

Creating podcasts in the classroom

January 27, 2025 by Hugo Johnson, Elementary School Educator

Podcasting in the classroom provides a simple yet powerful medium that can help students in their literacy and communication growth.

Finding innovative ways to engage students while maximizing learning is a goal many educators strive for. In today's digital age, it is necessary for educators to think outside…

District Management

The dos and don’ts of parent-educator communication

January 20, 2025 by Nicole Kluck

Parent-educator communication is a critical cornerstone of effective student support--one that can buoy achievement and belonging.

Strong parent communication ensures that both parties can collaborate as a team throughout the year for the child’s best interest.

Live @ FETC 2025

How AI Has Gone To The Dogs

January 17, 2025 by Kevin Hogan

One highlight from FETC’s Startup Pavilion is Florida-based Scholar Education, which uses AI chatbot dogs to help tutor students and ... Read more

Newsline

Boys Town Announces Patent Pending on AI Enhanced Training System & Assistive Mixed Reality Technology

November 26, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Boys Town Nebraska (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boys Town today announced the filing of patents for two groundbreaking AI-integrated innovations in ... Read more

District Management

Data gaps negatively impact academic progress and attendance

November 8, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Time and fragmented systems are key barriers to using data effectively to boost academic progress and school-home communication.

Half of educators and administrators struggle to access necessary student data, with 86 percent noting that data gaps limit their ability to support academic success and attendance.

Newsline

PRP Group and K20 Connect Partner to Offer Full Suite of Communications Solutions

November 1, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

Los Angeles, CA – PRP Group, a Hawke Media Company, and K20 Connect announced a strategic partnership to provide a ... Read more

AR & VR in the Classroom

Can VR help multilingual students better grasp science concepts?

October 30, 2024 by Sydney Barrilleaux, University of Georgia

Methods of communication beyond speech, writing could be essential for multilingual students--including VR for science learning.

Multilingual students face unique challenges that can hurt their performance in school. New methods of teaching may help close this gap, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

Newsline

Lingvano Sign Language Learning App Reaches 2.5 Million Learners Milestone

October 8, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Lingvano, a start-up sign language learning app, is thrilled to announce they have reached 2.5 million learners. ... Read more

Education Technology

How is Technology Beneficial in the Classroom?

September 26, 2024 by ESchool News

Education technology enhances classroom learning by providing interactive tools that engage students. How is technology beneficial in the classroom? It offers diverse resources, enabling personalized learning experiences.

District Management

Schools must do more to help families overcome language barriers

September 25, 2024 by Kristin Quinlan, Certified Languages International

Students and families should have equal access to education in schools--no matter what language they speak or what language barriers exist.

It’s a well-documented fact that children experience better academic achievement and social adjustment when parents are involved in their education, but navigating a school system can be challenging.

District Management

Confronting chronic absenteeism

September 16, 2024September 16, 2024 by Laura Ascione

Chronic absenteeism is a persistent challenges in districts across the nation--and expert stakeholders are working hard to change it.

Across the country, teachers and education leaders continue to fight rising rates of student absences. Curbing chronic absenteeism among students is particularly in the post-pandemic era as educators…

District Management

How top female district leaders get ready for back-to-school

September 16, 2024 by Megan Scavuzzo, Presence

Female school leaders offer insights into the resources, practices, and actions that help them guide their districts.

As educators and administrators prepare to start the new year off strong, top former and current female district leaders share their go-to sources for advice, inspiration, and continued…

Students with Special Needs

Revolutionizing education through school-based healthcare

September 2, 2024 by Evelyn Green, M.S.Ed., ADDA and CHADD

The collaborative nature of SBHCs allows clinicians to dive into each student's specific needs, creating a personalized curriculum.

For parents and teachers, addressing the challenges of ADHD in students requires a multi-faceted approach that combines thorough and adequate testing, open communication, and proactivity.

District Management

What 1,000 families want your district to know about school-home communication

August 22, 2024 by Russ Davis, SchoolStatus

The data shows just how much families crave a deeper level of transparency and collaboration in school-home communication.

Can you point to that moment where a teacher said or did something that changed the course of your life? I certainly can. In my case, it wasn’t…

STEM & STEAM Trends

3 free STEAM education resources to nurture student curiosity

July 30, 2024 by Lisa Gray, Allegheny Valley School District

Engaging STEAM education resources and content in classroom is the first step to inspiring students to explore those career possibilities in the future.

According to the National Math and Science Initiative, STEM education helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, fosters communication, and bolsters teamwork.

Newsline

Growing Number of K-12 Districts Add ParentSquare to Strengthen Family Engagement Efforts

July 15, 2024 by ESchool News Staff

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. — As educators wrap up the 2023-24 academic year, school-home engagement remains a top priority. To unify ... Read more

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