Pub. 9 2019-2020 Issue 2

18 3. Drive engagement. It is vital to let your school community know you have a social media presence. Be sure that the links to your accounts are on your website and at the end of your emails and news- letters. Kristen at Mountainville Academy is considering an incentive so that all parents follow the accounts. She has noticed that “there are double as many likes on our photo/celebration posts as there on the upcoming info posts.” Check the analytics, Kara suggests, “to see if certain calls to action, content pieces, or media are more effective for your school.” Families want to see their students (be attentive to student privacy) and school achievements. Valerie at CPH, “consider[s] our social media to be the digital storefront of our school, so I only post things that are positive and highlight the great things about our school.” In sharing the “great things,” remember to respond to comments or questions promptly. Kara points to Bridge Elementary, slated to open August 2020, as monitoring their social media well and responding quickly to questions posed in the comments. She says, “The more responsive you are, the more the community will feel they can engage with you.” Crystal at City Academy finds social media helps “facilitate the full circle of communication.” Their families are aware and responsive to their communication on social media as they have consistently used it. DIA finds that dividing up the focus of posts keeps the engage- ment steady. They will post-academic items, mission/vision reminders, enrollment, extra-curricular activities and fun extras. Angela “can see the power in social media, particularly nowwith COVID-19.”As Sarah at NoahWebster has noted, “Many parents check their social media before they check their email,” so using this medium to get out current information quickly is effective. 4. Share the love. As we deal with increased isolation as a result of COVID- 19 restrictions, it is important to maintain a connection with CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17