We implemented a parent portal last fall, about 2 months into the school
year. Here's what we did:
* Ahead of time, we established a committee that included 3 parents, the
registrar, the assistant to the head of school, the director of
communications, and myself (director of technology). We tested the portal,
identifying the kinks/areas of potential confusion as well as the features
we thought parents would love.
* We included announcements of the portal in all our summer mailings
(snail mail), mentioning the things we thought parents would love (just
brief announcements highlighting the good stuff).
* Because we launched in November, I had the benefit of being able to
address parents at parent nights, face-to-face. I took 3 minutes to tell
them the portal was coming and to highlight its benefits.
* We sent 3 blast emails -- one email 2 weeks before launch, another 1
week before launch, and a final email the day before launch. Each email
contained a link to a very brief online movie that was a "teaser" for a
particularly useful feature of the portal.
* On the day of the launch, we sent login credentials to each parent.
* Starting 2 weeks after launch, we offered 3 "in person," one-hour
sessions where parents could come if they were confused to get
face-to-face help.
* We created a Web site that you can look at:
http://www.pikeschool.org/home/parents/portalTOC
When we launched, there were just 3 links: User Guides, Frequently-Asked
Questions, and System Requirements.
All in all, the launch went very smoothly. I think that for the most part
parents were really happy to have the convenience of online access to the
school directory, their kids' schedules, and grade reports.
Good luck!
Terry
. . .
Terry Dash
Director of Technology
Pike School
34 Sunset Rock Road
Andover, MA 01810
978-409-6623
A forum for independent school educators <ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> writes:
>We are introducing portals to our parents for the first time this summer.
>They will be provided through our SIS and I was wondering if anyone who
>has implemented a portal has examples of the announcements that they have
>sent out to parents.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ali
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------
>Ali Yares
>Park School of Baltimore
>Information Manager
>410-339-7070, ext. 4671
>ayares@parkschool.net
>Blog: http://schoolsocialmedia.blogspot.com/
>
>Park Online
>Website: http://www.parkschool.net
>Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheParkSchool
>Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/parkschool
>Facebook Alumni Page: http://www.facebook.com/parkschoolalumni
>
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