Introduction
Schools like any other institutions in society need to mind about the welfare of its members and the community. This concern helps the organization cope well to the needs of the surrounding members and environment. Establishments cannot survive in isolation and depend on their neighbors to operate well. A properly established criterion should be used to determine what role a school is to play in the society. In order to develop the standards, the school needs to analyze its goals and incorporate them to the society’s overall objectives. This calls for understanding the norms of the society first then building upon them. (Ballenger, 2007)
Reaching out to society can benefit the school as a community. The members of the school will develop a good reputation with the general community. This rapport is vital as a sense of belonging and is created in times of need whether in crisis or in celebration. Most organizations have embraced the community social responsibility as a way of reaching out to the general public members. Communication regards developing affiliations with inner and peripheral dependants of the school.
This is the essence of having a good public relation with the community. Specific objectives must be ascertained to enable the plan to address all concerns in the school relation to the community. In order to achieve these relations, a good communication plan should be developed by the school. Information on the objectives of the communication should be shared with all stakeholders and should be in agreement with state laws. Most schools have a mixed composition of students who differ in ability, race, culture and other social aspects. These have to be considered when developing a public relation plan (Stewart, 2007).
Body
Public relation and awareness plan can be communicated using the following strategies:
- Elaborate the relationship between community and the school. The areas which are common to the community and school such as social amenities should be outlined. This gives the members of both communities an understanding on the others purposes.
- A strategy statement should be written and distributed among stakeholders. This can be done using bulletins and other media. Correspondence of the policy creates awareness allowing ease of interaction.
- The context of the plan should be communicated. Information on the program of the school is essential for easy incorporation of the community. Working together with the neighbors to develop a calendar of events can help the school in its events management.
- Purpose for the relationship should be spelt out. The idea, operation and basis of the relationship should be well known by the community and school. It can be put on billboards around the school and community centers.
- A wishes evaluation should be conducted. A community can participate fully if its desires are articulated. To achieve this data on the needs is collected and analyzed.
- Realization of the purpose should be measured. This can be achieved using goals that are SMART. Meaning they need to have these characteristic Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and are Time bound. Monitoring of progress is possible using the set goals.
- The tasks to be undertaken should be quantifiable. Working within a fixed work load gives a person better focus. Monitoring and results can be derived better if the work is distinct.
- The target population should be established. Defining the recipients of the information is important to give the program meaning. The stakeholders who are directly attached to the members of the community and school should be furnished with detailed information.
- Performance standards can be incorporated. Gauging how much a student has contributed and the effect on the community is vital. Outcomes can be used for future plans.
- Planning should be in harmony with state laws. Districts in the US have standards and guidelines for public relations for schools. Consultation with legal institutions can help in establishing what is officially permitted.
Using the above steps a plan can be developed to reach out to community and pupils within the school (Ballenger, 2007).
Coupled with the school public relation plan is an emergency plan. This is essential especially in the unlikely event of a catastrophe. Policies are good but having contingency plans makes them even more secure and worthy of pursuance. A crisis management plan is fundamental in any organization including schools. To develop a plan an analysis of the possible hazards should be done. They can be put into categories that will make response to the crisis elaborate. The following are some guidelines on the disasters that are likely to occur in the community and school with response strategies:
- Natural disasters. These are events that occur in nature such as tornados and hurricanes, fires, floods and earthquakes among others. These are uncontrollable and should be well forecasted. Information on the probability of a disaster should be channeled to members from the government bodies. Avoiding these areas to avoid injury should be communicated. Signs and information centers should be put up. Proximity to the information is apparent and should be considered.
- Man-made disasters. These are the predicaments caused by humans. Schools have experienced shootings and drugs problems in the recent years. This has affected many students and the community in general. It is difficult to comprehend the likelihood of this crisis but measures to curb them are possible. Awareness on the dangers of associating with these activities can be done using various media. An overall guidance and counseling staff member can help the students in school. The community will depend on the state laws and the enforcers to control the calamity.
In all cases of disaster the first procedure is to stay calm and avoid panic. This allows rescue efforts to be swift and timely. Contact information should be put in bold in all communication materials. Emergency numbers should be circulated to all members of the community (Education.com, 2009).
Conclusion
Public relation and crisis plans are essential in schools as they help in developing upright citizens. A part from the education and extracurricular activities in schools, community awareness is also critical for rising responsible generations. If managed well it can help many schools adapt to their neighbors.
List of References
Ballenger, J. (2007). How to Develop a Communication/School-Community Relations Plan. Web.
Education. (2009). Academy for Public Relations. Web.
Stewart, L. (2007). The Importance of Public Relations. Web.