Communications
The communication division is committed to tell the story of Falls Schools using effective communication tools and practices. We want to ensure that our stakeholders are engaged and aware of the innovative and exciting ways Falls Schools prepares our students for the future.
SDMF is a member of the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association and also the National School Public Relations Association.
Communication at Falls Schools
- Website
- Social Media
- Communication Tools
- Emergency Notification
- Media
- Brand Guidelines
- Online Flyers
- Phone, Email & Text
- Board Docs
- Finalsite Login
Website
Our website, fallsschools.org, serves as the information hub for the School District of Menomonee Falls. We are committed to ensuring accessibility of its websites for students, parents, and members of the community with disabilities.
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
To fulfill the promise of Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring people with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in the many services provided from our SDMF website, our website has been built ADA compliant by Finalsite. In addition, we are partnering with AudioEye for continued compliance.
When not coded properly, websites can be difficult or impossible to access by people that rely on assistive technologies to navigate the digital world. Websites must be designed, developed, and maintained in a manner that accommodates users with diverse abilities - in a manner that focuses on user-first, universal design principles.In the same sense that a building must provide certain physical accommodations - ramps, rails, wide doorways, elevators - websites should provide accommodations in the digital space.Our website
The AudioEye solution aims to improve the usability of the web - providing everyone with an optimal, customizable, and fully inclusive digital experience.First and foremost, the AudioEye technology helps ensure that our website is optimized to provide an accessible user experience by conforming to WCAG 2.0 Level AA. In addition, the AudioEye technology includes a toolbar, which includes a suite of free assistive web personalization utilities that allow our users to customize their user experience. To learn more about the accessibility features of the Ally Toolbar, please visit www.audioeye.com.
Social Media
Follow the School District of Menomonee Falls on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
The School District of Menomonee Falls reserves the right to delete all comments that do not follow the SDMF social media guidelines below. We also reserve the right to ban users who violate these guidelines, including Board Policy 512 HARASSMENT OF EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED. Our intention is not to deprive any person of his or her right to freedom of expression, but to maintain a safe, harassment-free environment for our students and staff.
Postings and comments must not violate district policies or Internet safety guidelines. Nor will page administrators allow comments on page postings that:
1. Contain abusive, hateful, racial, defamatory or inappropriate language or statements.
2. Suggest or encourage illegal activity.
3. Are of commercial nature (i.e. advertisements, solicitations)
4. Violate copyright and fair use laws. Please give credit where it is due and recognize the source when publishing other's content.
5. Do not show consideration for the privacy of others, including identifying students or staff members.
6. Contain political campaign messages, including support or opposition of ballot measures or political candidates.
7. Are considered likely to offend or provoke others.
8. Are not factual. Please be accurate and verify your facts before you post.
9. Are repeatedly posted comments.
We strive to communicate about urgent issues and respond to inquiries from our community in a timely manner, but please note that our social media accounts are not monitored 24/7. If you have an emergency or are in crisis, please call 911. Please contact principals, teachers, staff members and the School Board directly as we are not equipped to forward messages to individuals through social media.
The School District of Menomonee Falls supports efforts to involve students in optional activities that have social, recreational, or educational value and may occasionally share posts promoting such activities from third parties on our social media channels. It is our policy to only share information about programs/services from non-profit organizations that pertain to children and/or education. Information shared is at the discretion of the school district. Posts shared promoting non-district sponsored activities will be indicated as such.
Communication Tools
Newsletters: Email via Constant Contact
All of our schools share news, updates and information through regular electronic newsletters. The SDMF sends a digital to families each Thursday. Sign up here to receive the eNewsletter.School Messenger: Email & Phone
SchoolMessenger is used to send phone, email, and text messages to students, staff, and families throughout the year. It is important that families keep their contact information up-to-date to ensure they receive notifications through School Messenger.
Optional: Text Message Opt-in
SDMF utilizes a text message option to communicate with families through our SchoolMessenger service for urgent and emergency matters (i.e.: school closings, safety updates). You can choose to opt-in now by texting “yes” or “y” to 67587. Message and data rates may apply.
Speak Up Speak Out: an application that supports anonymous reporting of inappropriate behavior, bullying, or school safety concerns.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
SDMF uses multiple platforms to communicate with its school community. Survey results indicate the district is focusing its efforts on the most effective communication tools for various audiences. The weekly district eNewsletter is the preferred source of information for the school community. A community-wide mailing published twice each year allows residents who do not have children to attend SDMF schools.
Category | Channel | Audience | Frequency |
Electronic | District website | Parents, students, staff, new families, alumni, community | Daily to weekly |
Electronic | School website | Parents, students, staff, new families, alumni, community | As needed |
Electronic | Falls Schools eNews | Parents, staff, media, legislators, community who subscribe | Weekly |
Electronic | School Messenger (email, text, phone) | Parents, students, staff | As needed |
Social Media | Facebook District | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | Daily |
Social Media | Facebook Schools | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | (3-5x/week) |
Social Media | Twitter District | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | (3-5x/week) |
Social Media | Twitter Schools | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | (3-5x/week) |
Social Media | Twitter Athletics | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | (3-5x/week) |
Social Media | Instagram District | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | (3-5x/week) |
Social Media | YouTube | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | 1x/month |
Print & Electronic | Community Newsletter | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | 3x/year |
Electronic & Social Media | Focus on the Falls | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | Monthly during school year |
Engagement | Board Meetings | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | 2x/month |
Recognition | Employee Recognition | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | Frequently |
Engagement | Realtor/Business Tour | New families, community members, business leaders | 1x/year |
Engagement | Opening Inservice | Staff | 1x/year |
Recognition | The Finest | Parents, students, staff, community members, alumni | Each Board Meeting |
External Media | Earned Media | Parents, students, staff, community members | Periodically |
External Media | Radio | Parents, students, staff, community members | Periodically |
External Media | Parents, students, staff, community members | Periodically |
Emergency Notification
The School District of Menomonee Falls uses School Messenger to send automated phone calls, text messages and emails to parents and guardians about school-related safety, weather-related closings, reminders and absences.
If you are the parent or guardian of a Falls Schools student, please make sure your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool.
Media
Falls Schools is always looking for ways to share the great news of students and staff. We pitch news releases to media, and utilize social media, eNewsletters and more to help us spread the news.
Media requests are directed to:
Amy Swanson Kieser
Director of Communications & Community Outreach
swanamy@sdmfschools.org
262-255-8352 (O)
262-338-9160 (C)
Brand Guidelines
We are proud of our rich Falls history, which is why the new logo features the Falls "F." It's a symbol already identifiable with the School District of Menomonee Falls and community.
Our Brand Guide contains established standards for logo use. The Brand Guide includes approved logo options for all Falls Schools and Falls Summer Academy, color palette, typography and apparel.
MFHS
Online Flyers
If you are a community organization providing an enrichment opportunity for children in our community and wish to distribute flyers to School District of Menomonee Falls families, please send a PDF copy of the event/information flyer to the Communications Division @ swanamy@sdmfschools.org. Please be aware of the district’s Guidelines for Online Flyer Distribution.
All submitted flyers must have the following disclaimer at the bottom:
The opinions expressed are not sponsored or endorsed by the School District of Menomonee Falls or its personnel.
Phone, Email & Text
Through School Messenger, Falls Schools sends district-wide emails to families and/or students when critical information needs to be shared including school closings. We also offer and SMS text option to receive emergency communications.
Family members are responsible for managing their communication preferences, according to what works best for their family.
Board Docs
Board meeting agendas, minutes and video are posted and stored on BoardDocs.
Finalsite Login
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