Community High School District 117 launched a new public relations campaign to increase parental engagement through the use of technology. The campaign is part of a larger effort to inform the CHSD 117 community of the positive stories that happen inside the district. The administration announced the release of new mobile applications for iPhone and Android that will provide parents with information such as events, sports scores, cafeteria menus, emergency notifications, and other pertinent school updates.
CHSD 117 is taking this initiative to engage community members on the devices and social networks they use most. A ComScore study shows that Americans use mobile technologies at twice the rate of desktop computers, and a Pew study shows that 65 percent of adults use social media. With the newly-adopted tools, the administration and teaching staff can share across social media, mobile apps, and the website.
“Our goal is to increase ease of communication with parents and community members while introducing continuity across a myriad of platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, chsd117.org, and the new mobile apps,” explained Ryan Miles, the District 117 Chief Technology Officer who led the initiative. “Parents will have quick access to information like next week’s lunch schedule, sports scores, and school events. More importantly, we can promote positive stories happening in our schools. This is all presented in a package that is accessible in a broader fashion, including translation elements and accessibility tools for those that require aid in navigating a digital future.”
