Media Relations Protocol
GENERAL TCSS COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOLS
Objectives
- Communicate as fully as possible and as soon as practical on topics of interest to external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and credibility.
- Use social and traditional media platforms, and the TCSS and school’s websites, reaching external stakeholders with messages that are consistent across departments and schools.
- Work with external media, partners, and outside organizations to promote TCSS.
Process
- Develop/distribute material that originates from Central Office and school Media Specialists through traditional media/outlets and the TCSS/school’s media platforms and websites.
- Serve as point of contact for inquiries for external media.
- Support staff members at each school who are responsible for communication via social and traditional media, their school websites, and other platforms as appropriate; in particular:
- Supporting/Coordinating communication efforts by school staff (see examples below).
- Providing training and assistance on a regular basis for internal TCSS and school news, events, and social platforms.
- Support internal and school communication efforts
Examples of needs for coordination between TCSS communications and school personnel:
|
Issue |
Responsible for Communication |
Support From… |
|---|---|---|
|
School closings, schedule changes |
||
|
Individual school/transportation delay |
School (notify Cabinet Offices and PR) |
TCSS PR if needed |
|
All schools closed/major transportation delays |
TCSS PR |
School Admin., District Admin., Staff |
|
Grants, awards, scholarships, well-known guest speakers, signing days, other celebrations |
||
|
School/student/teacher receives BIG award/honor |
TCSS PR works with school for higher visibility |
Principal, Staff, Honoree, School Contact |
|
Spelling Bee/Academic Meets - school level win |
School (notify Cabinet Offices and PR) |
Club Advisor |
|
DECA/Drone Competition - state/district level qualifier and/or winner |
TCSS PR works with school for higher visibility |
Principal, Staff, Club Advisor |
|
GA Pre-K, Red Ribbon, School Lunch Week, etc. |
School (notify PR of events/activities) |
Event Coordinators |
|
BAD NEWS, NEGATIVE NEWS |
TCSS PR coordinates with Cabinet/Schools as soon as issue is identified |
Cabinet, School Admin. |