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Communications

COMMUNICATIONS

DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS

Washington County Schools is committed to the establishment and support of a planned and systematic communications process between the school district and its stakeholder groups. We are committed to transparency and being proactive by providing the most up-to-date information in a variety of formats to most effectively reach multiple audiences through:

  • A strategic communications plan that aligns with district goals and objectives to create a “one-clear-voice” concept when delivering information to stakeholders
  • Branding and marketing strategies for the school district
  • Communication and customer relations standards for all internal employees
  • The research and evaluation of preferred methods of communication for all stakeholder groups
  • Promoting a proactive and cooperative approach with the media.

We are dedicated to promoting positive relationships amongst our students, teachers, staff and community stakeholders. Washington County Schools also recognizes the important role of the media in providing news and information to the community. It is the goal of District Communications to assist in providing information about the district in a timely and accurate manner. Members of the media are asked to contact the Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations with requests for information or requests to interview, photograph, or film administration, teachers, staff, and students. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Direct communications, marketing and community engagement support for WCS superintendent, BOE, teachers, staff, schools, offices and departments
  • Drafts and issues press releases, advisories, public statement and other coordinated communications efforts
  • Social media content creation and maintenance for district Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts; support for school and school-related social media accounts
  • Website maintenance, including content and editing on the district and school websites
  • Media relations and crisis communications support for schools and WCS leaders
  • Internal communication for all WCS staff
  • External communications, including serving as a liaison between the school district and the news media
  • Mass communications and messaging for families and key stakeholders for districtwide announcements
  • Student, staff and alumni recognition
  • Special event planning
  • Plan and coordinate district events, including end-of-the-year awards program
  • Communications planning and research

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Hillary C. Wright-Kaufman

Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations/Assistant to the Superintendent

Office: 859-336-5470 ext. 2202

Work Cell: 859-481-8917

Email: hillary.wright@washington.kyschools.us

District Communications Requests: communications@washington.kyschools.us
 

Have a story or social media idea, or need event coverage? Email communications@washington.kyschools.us with full details!
**If your request has a tight deadline or is urgent, please send an email or call/text 859-481-8917.

ParentSquare

  • The Washington County School District uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified. 

    Here's what you can do with ParentSquare:

    • Receive messages from the school via emai, text or app notification
    • Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6:00 PM
    • Communicate in your preferred language
    • Comment on school postings to engage with your community
    • Participate in group messages
    • Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
    • Sign forms & permission slips, receive report cards, sign up to volunteer and more all from your desktop or mobile device

    How to Sign Up: 

    • Contact your child's school.

    Opt-Out

    • You can opt-out at any time. Download, fill out and submit the document attached HERE for more information about opting-out from our communications.

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    A QR code with the Apple App Store logo in the center.

    A QR code with the Google Play Store logo in the center.

    A webpage titled 'Getting Started with ParentSquare for Parents and Guardians'.

    ParentSquare help guide with instructions on account access and app download.

    A guide in Spanish for parents and guardians on how to use ParentSquare.

    A smartphone displays the ParentSquare app interface, with instructions in Spanish.

  • In compliance with Kentucky Senate Bill 181 (SB 181), Washington County Schools has launched a new Communication Consent Forms Portal to ensure all electronic communication between school employees, volunteers, and students is conducted in accordance with the law. The portal can be accessed below.

Student Recognitions

  • Know of a student in Washington County Schools who needs to be recognized for an achievement(s)? Use the Student Recognition Submission Form to notify our Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations! Help us celebrate our students! 

    ***All submissions will be reviewed and considered for district social media, press releases and/or other forms of coverage, and are subject to the discretion of the district.

Social Media Procedures

School & District Concerns

For The Media

  • Media requests can be made emailing the Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations at hillary.wright@washington.kyschools.us or by contacting the Washington County Board of Education Central Office at (859)-336-5470. All media personnel, reporters and all guests are REQUIRED to sign in through the school's main office, wear a guest pass at all times, and comply with all district policies and local and state laws concerning the use of minors in news and broadcasting. 

    • Reporters must have permission from district communications staff and school administrators to be on the school campus.
    • Reporters are allowed access to students and school activities only at the discretion of the principal, and then only with appropriate parental consent.
    • Reporters are not allowed in classrooms that are conducting assessments. 
    • Reporters may be allowed in classrooms at the discretion of the principal and teacher.
    • Prior parental/guardian consent is needed for interviews with students under 18.

    The media is encouraged to attend school board meetings. Meeting announcements and agendas are readily provided to local media, and can also be found on the district website HERE.

  • To place an open records request, please download the OPEN RECORDS REQUEST FORM and email the request to WCS Superintendent Dr. J. Robin Cochran at robin.cochran@washington.kyschools.us and Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations Hillary C. Wright-Kaufman at hillary.wright@washington.kyschools.us

Social Media Pages

DISTRICT & SCHOOL SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Community Resources