Board backs ParentSquare expansion and in-person outreach to strengthen family and community engagement

Improving communication with families and the broader community was a prominent theme at the board’s work session. The district has implemented ParentSquare as a primary communication tool, and board members and staff discussed ways to increase effective use of the platform and reduce message overload.

Staff described ParentSquare features that allow the district to auto-translate messages into a family’s preferred language and to form subject-specific “community groups” (for example, CTE, athletics or special education) that nonparent community members can join by QR code. Staff recommended expanding community groups so people who are not current parents can receive targeted newsletters and updates.

Board members also proposed in-person outreach—staffed booths and Saturday events at school functions—so community members who do not normally sign up online can be recruited into groups. A weekend “table” at a high-school event with coffee and donuts was suggested as a low-barrier way to attract sign-ups.

Other items discussed under community engagement included better coordination with local foundations and businesses, using regional publicity (Central Oregonian coverage, conference nominations) to spotlight district programs, and targeted outreach to Spanish-speaking families and other language communities.

Staff will include a communications plan and community-engagement actions in the strategic-plan draft and will work on ways to connect community partners to district needs and volunteer programs.