5 secrets to stronger high school connections
I’ve been a principal for 14 years, during which time I served as the leader of an alternative school, an early college, and a large middle school. Through…
communication
Too many apps, too many missed messages
In our district, families were checking multiple apps just to keep up with school communication. One child’s teacher posted in one platform. Another school used something different. District…
When seconds matter: Why in-building coverage is a lifeline for school safety
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.
Connected campuses: Modernizing education communications for safety and simplicity
Schools, colleges, and universities face growing challenges in keeping their communities informed, connected, and engaged.
49 predictions about edtech, innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026
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…
From fragmented to family-first: Our district’s communication reboot
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…
Why education leaders must highlight their people
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…
The superintendent survival kit: Transparency and truth in communications
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…
Rethinking the role of guest teachers
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…
Beyond AI: Human connection still drives school attendance
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!
Preventing harm by connecting the dots in school safety
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…
From disconnection to partnership: How consistent communication transformed our school culture
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…
Growing AI use in school PR leads to roadmap for responsible use
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…
Report highlights growing movement to elevate student voice in school communications
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.
6 steps to transforming parent engagement, one message at a time
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.
ISTE25 Takeaways—Bloomz Unveils Immersive Translation and Conversational AI to Simplify and Strengthen the School-Home Connection
To bridge language barriers, streamline school operations, and enhance family engagement, Bloomz, the leading all-in-one school communication and engagement platform, ... Read more
North Carolina District Wins ISTE 2025 Distinguished Award for AI Leadership and Parent Engagement Innovation
Kimberley Thompson-Hairston, Director of Instructional Technology and Media for Stokes County Schools and Chad Stevens, Head of K-12 Engagement for ... Read more
Beyond formulas: Embracing complexity in 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.
Showfloor News: Edlio’s new analytics dashboard boosts engagement
Edlio, a provider of K–12 school communication solutions, announced significant enhancements to its Mass Communication system and mobile app. The ... Read more
You’re using ChatGPT? A true story about why AI literacy starts with us
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…
Educators reflect on post-COVID learning
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.
6 ways tech simplifies school communication and engagement
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…
Post-pandemic, a new era of teaching and learning
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…
How schools can effectively manage student activity funds with digital wallets
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…
Navigating Special Education with Open Communication
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.
Elevating family leadership to foster student success
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…
Creating podcasts in the classroom
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…
The dos and don’ts of parent-educator communication
Strong parent communication ensures that both parties can collaborate as a team throughout the year for the child’s best interest.
How AI Has Gone To The Dogs
One highlight from FETC’s Startup Pavilion is Florida-based Scholar Education, which uses AI chatbot dogs to help tutor students and ... Read more
Boys Town Announces Patent Pending on AI Enhanced Training System & Assistive Mixed Reality Technology
Boys Town Nebraska (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boys Town today announced the filing of patents for two groundbreaking AI-integrated innovations in ... Read more
Data gaps negatively impact academic progress and attendance
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.
PRP Group and K20 Connect Partner to Offer Full Suite of Communications Solutions
Los Angeles, CA – PRP Group, a Hawke Media Company, and K20 Connect announced a strategic partnership to provide a ... Read more
Can VR help multilingual students better grasp science concepts?
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.
Lingvano Sign Language Learning App Reaches 2.5 Million Learners Milestone
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Lingvano, a start-up sign language learning app, is thrilled to announce they have reached 2.5 million learners. ... Read more
How is Technology Beneficial in the Classroom?
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.
Schools must do more to help families overcome language barriers
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.
Confronting chronic absenteeism
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…
How top female district leaders get ready for back-to-school
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…
Revolutionizing education through school-based healthcare
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.
What 1,000 families want your district to know about 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…