How district communications platforms bring communities together

Key points:

In an increasingly interconnected world, it is more important than ever to have effective communication within your diverse school community. Communication plays a critical role in fostering a collaborative environment, ensuring student well-being, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Communication affects all stakeholders, and when parents are involved in their children's schooling, academic performance, school engagement, and motivation improve, according to the study. American Psychological Association.

Breaking language barriers

One of the most important barriers to the successful integration of newcomers into communities is language. Schools face a double challenge: newcomers struggle to understand and be understood, and schools struggle to find the means to communicate effectively with them. This is where a communications platform like Bloomz can have a profound impact. By offering translation services in over 133 languages, Bloomz dismantles these barriers, ensuring that important information reaches everyone in the language they select. This feature is particularly crucial in educational settings where parental involvement in their children's schooling is essential. With Bloomz, parents who are not fluent in the local language can receive updates, participate in discussions and contribute meaningfully to their children's education.

There are 97 languages ​​spoken in the Round Rock Independent School District in Texas. “Before Bloomz, we sent out posts, calendars and alerts, and put the information on our website for parents to switch to another language, but there weren't many available other than Spanish,” says Bertha Benedict, director of Bilingual and ESL programs. . “ESSA requires me to engage with parents, and to go further, I have to communicate with parents. Bloomz lets me do that.”

Cultivate inclusion and empathy

Communicating in your native language is deeply empowering. It's not just about understanding the words; It's about connecting with those words on a cultural and emotional level. Bloomz recognizes this by providing a platform where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. This inclusion goes a long way toward fostering a sense of belonging among newcomers, making their transition to new communities smoother and more comfortable. Additionally, when local community members witness the effort to accommodate different languages ​​and cultures, an atmosphere of empathy and respect is cultivated. Such an environment fosters deeper and more meaningful interactions, paving the way for a cohesive and supportive community fabric.

Facilitate better parental involvement

As newcomers struggle to adapt to their new environment, the host community also needs to provide them with support and understanding. Bloomz facilitates this mutual effort by ensuring that language does not become an impediment to participation. Whether it's parent-teacher meetings, community events, or local announcements, the availability of multiple languages ​​ensures that everyone can actively participate. This not only increases the confidence of newcomers but also enriches the cultural fabric of the community. When people from diverse backgrounds share their perspectives and experiences, it creates a more vibrant, dynamic and innovative community.

Joseph Mattina is principal of PS 023 Carter G Woodson Elementary School in Brooklyn, New York, a Title I school with all students below the poverty line. “We struggle with parent involvement and engagement,” he says. “Many of our students are in temporary housing, parents come from different backgrounds and have different abilities when it comes to using technology, and they don't check backpacks or folders. We wanted to make it easy for us and parents to interact. With Bloomz, we can notify parents immediately or we can schedule messages to be sent a week or two in advance. Parent involvement is more favorable now than it was five years ago and a lot of that has to do with Bloomz.”

Cathy Daniels, former principal at Waters Elementary School in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, agrees that Bloomz helped her teachers connect with all families. “Teachers can send beautiful photos and video clips to parents about what is happening and share the 'inside the classroom' experience. We have never had the opportunity to send photos to parents as quickly as Bloomz does.”

In today's globalized world, platforms like Bloomz play a vital role in keeping school and home connected. As we move forward, the lessons districts learn from communications platforms will shape the future of community engagement and integration, making our communities more connected, empathetic, and inclusive.