New Guide for Strengthening Early-Year Communication & Engagement

5 Ways to Win at Back-to-School Communication offers districts a scalable strategy for trust-building and student success

Sacramento, CA — July 22, 2025 — Districts across the country are facing a growing imperative: connecting with every family, from day one. With the release of 5 Ways to Win at Back-to-School Communication, SchoolStatus and Smore are equipping school leaders with a proven framework to engage families—at scale.

“Back-to-school is more than a fresh start—it’s a communication opportunity most schools can’t afford to miss,” said Dr. Kara Stern, Director of Education for SchoolStatus and Smore. “This guide helps leaders turn those first messages into lasting connection—and better outcomes.”

From First Day Emails to Systemwide Alignment

The playbook outlines a districtwide approach to early-year communication, starting two weeks before Day 1. It helps leaders build a three-tiered system: district-level welcome messages, school-level introductions, and personal classroom notes.

Districts using this approach can:

• Increase clarity and reduce messaging fatigue for families
• Reach more caregivers with multi-language, multi-channel tools
• Build trust and engagement from the very first touchpoint

Driving Engagement, Attendance, and Belonging 

The playbook draws from both research and real-world examples to show how strong communication improves student attendance, classroom behavior, and family-school partnerships.

“This isn’t about checking a box. It’s about creating the conditions for student success,” said Dr. Stern. “If families feel connected, supported, and included from day one, everything else gets easier.”

District leaders can download 5 Ways to Win at Back-to-School Communication now!

Media Contact
Annmarie Ely
Zer0 to 5ive for SchoolStatus
[email protected] | 267.454.4686