OASD Communications

Communication Plan and Web Site Updates

2005-09-02T11:37:00.000-05:00

As usual, the school district's communications teams have been busy attempting to mark items off of their to-do lists. Recently, Blue Door Consulting and the PR Steering Committee presented an extensive communications plan to the Board of Education. Included in this document was analysis from surveys, focus groups, interviews and general observations. The plan indicated areas for much needed communications improvement and it requested the Board move forward with a Marketing Plan.

The Board of Education had insightful questions during the presentation, specifically about marketing impact or return on investment. Based on that initial feedback, the committee is looking to develop its plan with ROI in mind for another formal Board presentation this fall.

If you would like a copy of the Communications Plan, they are available at the reception area of Central Office.

On a slightly different note, the district's Web site is proceeding, although somewhat behind schedule. The Web Site Development Committee reviewed three vendors and is in the process of negotiations with one. That vendor and a recommendation from the Committee will be brought forth at the September 14th Board meeting for approval. Provided that course runs smoothly, development of the site will begin immediately. Phase 1 is still anticipated to be uploaded yet this fall.

If any person is interested in being a part of the communications teams or activities, you are more than welcome. Please contact Brenda Haines or Heidi Strand at Blue Door Consulting (920) 230-2583.

Committee and Project Updates

2005-08-02T14:32:00.000-05:00

Web Site Development Committee

Tuesday, August 2nd, the Web Site Development Committee met to listen to three different Web site vendor presentations. The committee will review each of the proposals, analyzing each vendor’s limitations and strengths. Once the team has decided upon the most suitable vendor, Blue Door Consulting will make a formal presentation to the Board of Education of that vendor’s capabilities and estimated costs.

PR Steering Committee

The PR Steering Committee has continued to meet monthly and is addressing the following projects:

No Child Left Behind Training
School District Branding
OASD Marketing and Communications Plan

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee has several interesting projects it has begun to tackle, including:

Relocation Packet (scheduled to be completed in September)
Climate/perception survey
Parent involvement strategy
Data accumulation (where and how it is stored regarding survey information)
District newsletter

Facilities Utilization

Currently, Brad Cauffman and Brenda Haines have researched and contacted facilitators, who meet the RFP expectations, explained the project and requested proposals. An official RFP is available on the Oshkosh Area School District’s Web site.

2005-06-20T14:04:00.000-05:00

Board Update
Week of June 20th

Today is the deadline for the Web site RFP’s to be returned. At which point, the Tech Committee will review those that responded and make recommendations to the Web Site Development Committee as to the top candidates. The Web Site Development Committee will then interview the forerunners and expect a presentation, so as to select and recommend the best vendor to the Board of Education.

The PR Steering Committee has reviewed and made final change recommendations to the Communications Proposal that will be presented to the Board of Education July 13th. The Proposal outlines the research findings, observations and recommendations of the Oshkosh Area School District’s communication needs. Included within the research results are the responses from four surveys, Web site focus groups, and one-on-one administrator interviews. Following the Board presentation, the report will be made available to the public.

Last week, Blue Door Consulting spoke at the administrator meeting and informed them of the upcoming Web site timeline and content needs. Additionally, each school was presented with their individual results from the first survey conducted last November at the Parent/Teacher conferences. The results outlined areas that the schools were excelling in, as well as those areas in need of improvement regarding communication with parents.

Board Update Week of May 2nd

2005-05-04T10:20:00.000-05:00

Web Site Update
The Web Site Development Committee has done a great deal of research, putting together a comprehensive draft site map. We have been interviewing central office staff to learn what efficiencies we can achieve through the Web site. It is anticipated the Phase I Web site development RFP will be on the May 25th board meeting agenda for approval.

Additionally, the technology sub-committee met with a Skyward representative to learn about the relational database and client offerings. There were also demonstrations of the existing products, their upgrades and accompanying modules that may provide some of the functionality that has been requested in the Web site focus groups.

PR Steering Committee
The No Child Left Behind community education initiative has begun. The Public Relations Steering Committee brainstormed ideas; we are working with Phil Eickstaedt and Shelly Muza to begin implementation.

The committee discussed and made recommendations to staff regarding the controversial calendar issue.

Communications Committee
Four surveys are completed and analyzed. A workshop for the board has been scheduled for June 8th to review the details and recommendations.

We have secured a sponsor for a ‘realtor/promotional’ packet, which will be used with families considering relocation. CitizensFirst Credit Union has agreed to be a partner, covering design/print costs for the piece. The committee will communicate with administrators about individual school information needs that will be included in the packet.

Communication Research Nearly Complete

2005-04-06T13:53:00.000-05:00

It has taken time and resources, but the Communication Committees are making wonderful progress in the research they have accumulated that will be essential for upcoming recommendations pertaining to communication best practices and action plans.

First, the survey given to parents at November's Parent/Teacher conference has been analyzed and interpreted. The results are being presented to the Communication Committees this month and soon to be included in board packets. The board will be asked if they are interested in having a workshop on the results, once all surveys (including three others) are tallied and reported upon.

Second, the Web site is also progressing and there have been several questions as to what can be expected. Based on recent focus groups and user research, the Web Site Development Committee, along with its IT infrastructure sub-committee, have begun to draft a site map - or navigation system. The content and application requests that have emerged include some of the following:

Updated and complete event calendar
Templates for each individual schools and their key data
Access to grades, attendance and homework
Search functionality
District map
E-communication

The Web site development process is currently still in the user analysis phase, but is nearing a site map draft that will soon be put to RFP. After which, the School Board will be asked for input. It is still intended that by Fall 2006, a new site will be on-line, with further site development happening dependent upon budget and community feedback.

Third, Oshkosh realtors have expressed an interest in using a piece that promotes the school district. The Communications Committees have spoken individually with several realtors and asked for input as to what the promotional packet should obtain and highlight. Some of that feedback includes:

Each school's core facts and demographics
Location map in relation to the other schools
Highlights and programs available or specific to that school
Community-related information pertaining to safety, crime, etc.
Contact and tour specifics

The promotional packet is currently being drafted and a sponsor being sought for the printing costs. The packet will be made available within the next couple months to the community.

Board Update for the week of March 7th

2005-03-11T12:17:00.000-06:00

So much has transpired in the last couple weeks that we have gotten behind in blogging! However, we are excited to report good news.

The Parent/Teacher Conference Survey report will be posted next week on this blog. The analysis is complete and we are sharing that information with Dr. Heilmann, along with the PR Steering Committee first.
The responses back from the other three surveys (parents of: pre-kindergarteners, open enrollers and home schoolers) were very high; approximately 20-30%. We are in the process of entering and analyzing that data.
The first-ever Oshkosh Area School District e-newsletter has been developed and sent! eTimes, the work of many administrative staff, will be emailed to all staff and board members every two weeks. The e-newsletter will feature articles written by staff on a variety of topics.
Research is being conducted for a ‘promotional piece’ designed to help realtors and new transplants to the Oshkosh community. Blue Door has been interviewing people and will report shortly the needs of this targeted audience, as well as an action plan for its completion.
A sub-committee of the Web Site Development Committee has been formed. This sub-committee is comprised of professional software and Web developer volunteers who will be working hand-in-hand with Scott Colantonio to assess the district’s software infrastructure needs and how that relates to a future Web site.

Again, should you have any questions relating to the any of this information, please feel free to contact communications@oshkosh.k12.wi.us. Or visit the OASD discussion board and add your own imput. Thank you!

2005-02-24T15:40:00.000-06:00

Board Update Week of February 21st

This week Blue Door facilitated three focus groups. The first group consisted of OASD staff and the other two groups consisted of high school students from North and West. All three groups provided amazing insight in to their communication needs and methods, all of which can be applied to on-line Web site solutions.

The focus group conversations will be transcribed and summarized in detail for your review within the next two weeks. The next focus group is scheduled with parents for the evening of March 1st. Additional focus groups will be facilitated shortly thereafter, including a teacher/teacher assistant group and a community leader group.

The past two weeks have emphasized the value and need for constant and consistent communication. Coach Strand’s resignation and the “mysterious Oakwood virus” were both reported on by the media. In each case, Blue Door helped staff understand the value of open, consistent and timely information directed to all parties concerned. In having done so, both stories were related fairly and equitably by the press and showed the school district in its truest light – being positive and pro-active in its actions. Kudos goes to the administration staff of North and Oakwood for being open to the media and handling their issues professionally and directly!

Thanks. Blue Door Consulting

Loads of Updates

2005-02-18T13:29:00.000-06:00

PR Steering, Web Site Development Committees Meet; Web Focus Groups Begin

We’ve had a busy week with the school district—from a communications standpoint.

PR Steering Committee: No Child Left Behind
When the PR Steering Committee met last week Thursday, we focused on a couple of projects: No Child Left Behind and realtor-outreach. The first, a board initiative, replicates work done in the Sheboygan and Milwaukee school districts to educate parents and the community on ‘No Child Left Behind’ and what its rankings mean. This is a positive, proactive approach—and we are excited to have strong models on which to build our communications efforts.

As the saying goes, we don’t need to re-invent the wheel.

We’re fortunate that school board member Karen Bowen sits on this committee and volunteered to track down more information on Sheboygan’s outreach efforts.

PR Steering Committee: Realtor Outreach
Our second project, a realtor outreach effort, will be developed to put important information into the hands of realtors. This group is among the district’s most important messengers—because they meet with people who are considering where to re-locate. We’ve found a terrific model that another school district is using for its program. We hope to model our program after that one.

Using an existing informational folder developed by the ever-enterprising Ellen Binder, we will first meet with a group of realtors to determine their needs and then develop the plan accordingly.

Web Site Development Committee
The Web Site Development Committee met Monday. Scott Colantonia provided a ‘dog and pony show’ to explain how other school districts are using on-line tools that we could incorporate into the district’s Web site. A self-guided version of the tour is available on this blog site. The committee’s homework: look at the draft Web site architecture, examine other district sites and add to the site map. One other assignment: post something to the discussion board.

Web Site Focus Groups
Blue Door Consulting met with a small group of staff members for the first Web Site User Focus Group. The group had great information about ways that a re-designed Web site could better help them communicate, share information and solve problems. We will incorporate their ideas into a final report, which will be produced after all focus groups are completed.

Communication Service examples

2005-02-17T16:58:00.000-06:00

Communication Services

Blogs – easy to create web journals, free from places like blogger.com.

http://mrscolantonio.blogspot.com/ (with written permission from parents, Linda Colantonio celebrates classroom accomplishments of her students)

http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com/ (journal related to news and information about the recent tsunami aid, donations, and volunteer efforts

http://tsunami-video-photos.blogspot.com/ (journal of video clips to share information regarding the recent tsunami disaster)

http://oasdcommunications.blogspot.com/ (latest news regarding OASD communication issues)

Electronic discussion boards – web pages where people post ideas related to topics of interest.

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/ (a discussion area related to general literature, religious texts, poems, and various book related issues)

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=49159 (OASD web site development committee discussion board to share ideas)

http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/ (a place to discussion web site development issues)

Instant Messenger / chat services – people send messages to each other to discuss issues. Very popular with students, emerging marketing tool by industry leaders.

http://www.landsend.com/ (click on products, select “Lands’ End LIVE – text chat” to get help finding answers to your clothing questions.)

http://www.webhelpdesk.com/ (within the live support area, click to ask questions)

Video conferencing – people see and talk about issues in real-time.

http://www.wisp.k12.wi.us/schools/mckin/charter/streams/ (review examples of video conference events held at a Wisconsin elementary school. Click on Virtual Aquarium Tour – WM9 and Knee Replacement Surgery – WM9)

http://www.virent.net/ (historical figures available to teach students using video conferencing equipment)

http://www.cilc.org/ (a clearinghouse for instruction video conference opportunities)

Video Streaming – people access on-demand video content related to specific topics.

http://www.learner.org/ (source of professional development resources, under NOW SHOWING, click on “watch this video” to see streamed content.)

http://www.atomiclearning.com/ (subscription service to learn technology skills in popular applications.)

http://www.wisp.k12.wi.us/schools/mckin/charter/streams/ (review examples of video conference events held at a Wisconsin elementary school. Click on School Board presentation – WM9)

Electronic Courseware and Portfolio tools – teachers and students utilize in Internet-based educational tools to offer anytime learning.

http://www.desire2learn.com/ (teachers generate and share learning objects)

http://www.chalkandwire.com/ (students develop electronic portfolio elements to reflect accomplishments and ability)

Input

2005-02-01T14:22:00.000-06:00

This blog is meant to be a communication tool for updates regarding the school district's Communication Initiative. However, the communication committees are extremely interested in receiving input and feedback, as well as having a forum for discussion available to the public.

A Communications Discussion Board has been created and anyone wishing to join the discussion, add their opinion or suggestions is encouraged to do so. A staff member has graciously offered to moderate the board, in order to ensure constant appropriate interaction. Please visit: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=49159 to participate!

On a slightly different note, three surveys are being mailed next week to parents of pre-kindergartners, open-enrollers and home-schoolers. It is the intent of these surveys to better understand the decision-making process and variables that contributed to these parents' educational choices. The Oshkosh Area School District wants to be able to offer whatever resources it can to these parents and in order to do so, needs more information regarding these families needs.

And finally, the PR Steering Committee has decided to begin an internal staff e-newsletter. We are in the process of finalizing software and email logistics, but the first e-newsletter is anticipated before the end of February. Again, the committee is looking for feedback and has a thread started on the discussion board for that purpose.

More next week ...

Board and Committee Update 1-24

2005-01-25T10:47:00.000-06:00

Hello again from the PR Steering Committee:

The Web Site Development Committee has developed an aggressive time line for a new OASD site. The Committee is expecting to make a proposal to the board in April regarding the new site’s offerings and costs, once the analysis and site navigation development is complete.

The PR Steering Committee recently met and reviewed on-line communication solution options that included: blogs, newsgroups, discussion boards to better understand the long-term possibilities of better communication efficiencies and productivities. Additionally, the Committee conceptualized a staff e-newsletter that would be implemented and maintained at the Central Office for all OASD staff and emailed on a bi-weekly basis.

The results for the Parent-Teacher Conference Surveys have been tallied and are currently being analyzed. A statistical report will be presented to the Board in the near future. To whet your interest, we have included a few pieces of raw data:

1931 surveys were completed.
Of those 1931 responses, the top three answers to the question “What forms of communication do you rely upon?” were: My Children, School Newsletter, and Parent-Teacher Conferences.
And, 45% of the respondents indicated they rely on the Oshkosh Northwestern for information regarding the School District.

Web Site Development Update

2005-01-20T14:04:00.000-06:00

Web Site Development Committee News:

Exciting News! 22 people have volunteered their time to be on the new Web Site Development Committee. From Web site professionals to interested parents, the Web Site Development Committee is off to a great start with talented and passionate volunteers.

The Committee plans to meet every other week, from now until a district site is functional. This blog will post several updates in the interim to keep the public informed and to solicit input throughout the development process.

Beginning in February, the Committee will be facilitating focus groups in order to gather feedback on site navigation and on-line communication solutions. Any person wishing to be a participant in a focus group is welcome to volunteer by emailing communications@oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The current goal is to have a new site on-line by fall. This is an ambitious project and time frame; however, a Web site is a priority and will prove to be invaluable for OASD’s future. In the meantime, if you have questions pertaining to the development process … check back or email at communications@oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

School Facility Notes:

Current facility Web sites should be maintained as they have been. If do you choose to develop a new site, please consider it to be a temporary solution. The Development Committee will be making recommendations that may include template or redesigned facility sites.

As the Web site development team begins the site development process, facilities, staff, parents, organizations, students and community citizens will be asked to help provide input and content relevant to creating a site that is consistent with the OASD’s image and one that is navigable, usable and maintainable. Updated information, questions and feedback areas will be posted online in the near future for all OASD individuals to offer input and suggestions.

Thanks!

OASD Communications Update 1-12-05

2005-01-12T18:50:00.000-06:00

Blue Door Consulting is facilitating the Oshkosh Area School District's PR Steering Committee and its two sub-committees: the Communications Committee and the Web Site Development Committee.

We want to provide frequent updates on committees projects and accomplishments.

The PR Steering Committee and its sub-committee, the Communications Committee, have been meeting monthly and are busy procuring research to clearly identify marketing goals, gaps, tools and resources.

The first research survey was distributed to parents in November at the Parent Teacher Conferences - over 500 were completed. Results of the survey are being tallied.
Three additional surveys have been created and will be sent, they include:
Parents of Pre-kindergarten Children; Parents of Student Open-Enrollers; and Parents of Home Schoolers. In each case, the surveys were designed to gather information regarding the decision-making process that led the parents and/or students to their educational choice.
The Web Site Development Committee , consisting of 16 volunteers representative of the Oshkosh community, OASD community as well as a group of Web site development professionals, met for its first time Monday, Jan. 10th. The committee will meet every two weeks so as to quickly identify OASD's on-line needs.

Upcoming meetings:

PR Steering Committee--January 13th
Web Site Development Committee--January 24th
Communications Committe--February 7th

Please know, that if you have questions or concerns regarding any of the updates or the information provided, you are welcome to contact either Brenda Haines or Heidi Strand at anytime. Thank you!

Welcome

2005-01-10T10:34:00.000-06:00

We post news regarding Oshkosh Area School District communications committee events.