It's All About Communication: Abrell

It is mid-October and the new school year is going very well.

Students have settled into their classroom routines, fall athletics teams are deep into their seasons and fall plays and holiday band and choir concerts are just around the corner.

Likewise, communications are flying between teachers, schools, the district office and our families and community – another sure sign that school is in high gear.

As everyone knows, we live in an “information age.”

The media – most especially social media – inform and shape our awareness, politics and daily living in ways that many of us older than 35 would have never imagined. Those of us over 35 years old may not like it, but that’s our reality. With that in mind, District 202 has worked hard to build a robust, flexible and responsive internal and external communications system.

We use multiple traditional and social media, print publications and mass notification systems to directly, aggressively and proactively share accurate, important District 202 information.

We also use our communications tools to celebrate our many successes, and openly and candidly share our occasional short-comings and challenges. Most importantly, we are always open to new ideas and seeking ways to improve.

We do this for two important reasons: first, because our parents, taxpayers and even our students want and need to know everything we are doing to use their hard-earned resources efficiently to help all our students learn and grow.

And second, because an informed community helps us do our jobs better. The old saying “Knowledge is power” is truer today more than ever, especially in a system that relies on public funding for support. The more our community knows about what we do, our needs and hurdles, etc. the better they can partner with us in that work.

Ironically, we live in such an information-driven world, yet parents sometimes don’t choose to receive the information we provide.

That can be frustrating, but it does not in any way diminish our commitment to strong, effective and efficient communications. Our families, taxpayers, students and staff deserve nothing less.

Together, we will continue to prepare learners for the future

Dr. Lane Abrell

Superintendent of Schools

Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Photo of Dr. Lane Abrell via District 202