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Communications & Marketing » Communications & Marketing

Communications & Marketing

The Marketing & Communications Department serves as the district's connection between our schools and the community. We provide timely, accurate, and transparent communication while celebrating the accomplishments of our students, staff, and schools. Through multiple communication channels, we strive to keep families informed and engaged in the educational experience.
 
Effingham Unit 40 Schools follows the guiding questions of our Strategic Plan to take administrative action steps towards improving communication with our parents, with our staff, and with our community. Aside from sharing timely information via social media, the district has built and updated a new website in the summer of 2024. This comprehensive and streamlined plan for internal and external communications also includes a new communication platform called ParentSquare, a website mobile application, a separate and dedicated website for athletics, and a new bus routing software which provides transportation updates to our families.
 
What We Do
  • District website management
  • ParentSquare district communications
  • Social media management
  • News releases and media relations
  • Photography and videography
  • Graphic design and publications
  • Crisis and emergency communications
  • Community engagement
  • Branding and district identity
  • Event promotion
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Board of Education communications support
 

Communication Channels

Platform Purpose
Infinite Campus Student Information System (SIS)
ParentSquare Important school and district announcements
District Website News, calendars, forms, policies, employment
Facebook Student achievements, events, reminders
MyRide K-12 Transportation routes and tracking
Email Official communications
Phone/Text Alerts Emergencies and urgent notifications
 
ParentSquare
 
New for the 2026-2027 school year, ParentSquare is the district's official platform for important school communications, while the website serves as the central hub for news, calendars, resources, and district information. To learn more about ParentSquare, please choose the tab on the right of this page.
 

Emergency Communications

In emergency situations, such as weather closures or other urgent situations, notifications are distributed first through ParentSquare and posted to the district website and official social media channels when appropriate.

 
Media Requests
For media requests please email Erin Hartke at [email protected]
 
District Branding
For your convenience the district has provided copies of our athletic and academic logos. The links to the images are located in the right hand column of this page. The high-resolution images are saved as Adobe Illustrator files. You must have Adobe Illustrator installed on your machine to use these images.
 
We have also provided Brand Guidelines to ensure consistency across all marketing and communication channels.

STUDENT IMAGES

 

The Board of Education recognizes the educational and community value of appropriately sharing student achievements and activities while safeguarding student privacy rights. The District shall comply with all applicable State and federal laws regarding student records and confidentiality, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois School Student Records Act (ISSRA).

 

Student safety and privacy shall take precedence over publicity or promotional interests.

 

Directory Information

The Superintendent or designee shall designate directory information consistent with Board policy 7:340, Student Records, and 7:15, Student and Family Privacy Rights.

 

Directory information may be released without prior written consent unless a parent/guardian opts out, as provided in Board policy 7:340, Student Records. Full student names may be used in customary school contexts, including but not limited to:

  • Honor roll and academic recognition lists
  • Team rosters and activity participation lists
  • Graduation programs and announcements
  • Group awards and recognitions

 

Use of Student Images and Information

The District may use student photographs, video recordings, and directory information in District-sponsored publications and communications, including but not limited to:

  • District and school websites
  • Official social media accounts
  • Printed publications and yearbooks
  • News media releases

 

When identifying individual students in public-facing communications outside of directory information contexts, the District shall limit identification to first initial and last name. No personally identifiable information beyond directory information shall be disclosed.

 

The Superintendent or designee shall implement administrative procedures to ensure:

  • Student information is not disclosed in a manner that compromises safety or privacy
  • Real-time posting is limited when it may create security concerns
  • Location information is not shared in a manner that could endanger students
  • Reasonable safeguards are in place for all digital communications

Links to Logo Files

JPG Files

Adobe Illustrator Files