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Guidelines for Sharing Information Through District-Sponsored Communication Channels

Purpose

The Stow-Munroe Falls City School District is committed to providing students, families, staff, and the community with clear, timely, and relevant information through its official communication channels. These guidelines establish consistent criteria for determining what information may be shared through district-sponsored communication channels, including district and school social media accounts, ParentSquare, district newsletters, and official district websites.

These guidelines are intended to ensure that district communication channels remain focused on information that directly supports the educational mission and interests of the District and its school communities.

District-Sponsored Communication

District-sponsored communication channels are primarily intended for information that is:

  • Directly related to the operation of the District or its schools.
  • Sponsored, organized, or administered by the District or an individual school.
  • Important to students, families, or staff in connection with their school experience.
  • Related to official District events, programs, activities, initiatives, or services.
  • Required or strongly encouraged communication from the District, including time-sensitive information.
  • Related to an official District partnership or collaboration that has been formally established or approved by the District.
  • Community information that the District determines provides a significant and direct benefit to the school community and is appropriate for an official District communication channel.

Outside Organizations and Community Programs

The District recognizes that community organizations provide valuable opportunities for students and families. However, an organization’s service to, collaboration with, or proximity to the District does not automatically qualify its programs for promotion through District-sponsored communication channels.

Examples include:

  • City or township recreation programs
  • Youth sports organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Private camps and clinics
  • Tutoring and enrichment programs
  • Community organizations
  • Businesses and other outside entities

Information from these organizations should generally be directed to the District's designated community information/flyer distribution process, such as Peachjar, rather than promoted through ParentSquare or District social media.

Official Community Partnerships

The District may share information from an outside organization through District-sponsored channels when the organization has an official or formal partnership with the District or when the District determines that the communication is directly connected to a District-sponsored initiative.

Examples may include:

  • A program jointly sponsored by the District and a community organization.
  • A community organization providing a program or service under a formal District agreement.
  • A District-approved partnership that directly supports District goals or student programming.
  • An event in which the District is an official participant, sponsor, or host.

The existence of an informal relationship or the fact that an organization works with District students does not, by itself, constitute an official partnership.

Consistency and Equal Treatment

The District will strive to apply these guidelines consistently across organizations and programs.

Approval of one outside organization's information for a District-sponsored communication channel should not be interpreted as an automatic endorsement or guarantee of promotion for similar organizations.

When determining whether an outside organization qualifies for District-sponsored communication, consideration may be given to:

  • The District's relationship with the organization.
  • Whether the District is formally participating in or sponsoring the activity.
  • The direct connection to District programs or initiatives.
  • The benefit to students and families.
  • The relevance and timeliness of the information.
  • Whether sharing the information could reasonably be interpreted as District endorsement.
  • Whether providing access to one organization would create an expectation that similar organizations receive the same access.

Peachjar and Community Flyers

Peachjar serves as the District's designated avenue for distributing approved flyers and information from qualifying community organizations.

Outside organizations wishing to distribute information through Peachjar should submit their materials through the established Peachjar process. The District may review submissions to ensure they meet applicable District guidelines before distribution.

Submission through Peachjar does not constitute District sponsorship or endorsement of the organization, program, product, or service.

District Discretion

The District reserves the right to determine whether information is appropriate for a particular communication channel based on the nature of the information, its relationship to the District, and the needs of the school community.

The Public Relations Department may recommend the most appropriate communication channel for a request and may decline to promote information through a District-sponsored channel when it does not meet these guidelines.

Application

These guidelines are intended to provide a consistent framework for communication decisions while allowing reasonable discretion for unique circumstances. Questions regarding the appropriate communication channel should be directed to Sarah Hegnauer, Public Relations Supervisor.