Well, I got more news the other day that the students will be bused (shuttled) from an old mall less than a mile away from the school. He mentioned the school sending home a newsletter but I still think I will talk to the Principal about e-mailing parents too. The trick here is getting the adresses as our VP transfered her kids to a different school! It NEVER ends!!
I love the flyer idea but we are SO spread out as we are a school of choice (I know how snobby) and not a neighborhood school. Now the school district has a new channel with our cable service BUT the school and district's relationship is iffy (L O N G story)
I did talk to the guy at school overseeing the construction (like I said the Principal has had enough!) and he liked the paper idea AND wants to send home a special school newsletter home in July. I may just ask if I can help get that together (hen maybe it'll get done --no all the staff is taking their vactions!)
Oh but wait, couldn't you combine with some story about murder, mayhem, or infidelity? Then gossip would carry the news for you in no time! Might be a bit distorted, but surely someone in your group has a reputation they'd sacrifice for the greater good!
If you aren't in a rural area, what about just having flyers delivered in your neighborhood? We live in a subdivision of about 12,000 people. The neighborhood newsletter is delivered by volunteers who each take a certain number of streets, and distribute the flyer door to door each month.
Thinking about our elementary school, which is 500 kids, it wouldn't be THAT huge a chore to organize a flyer distribution if we needed one. I know I'd offer to do our little segment of about 6 streets (60-70 houses). We're spread about a bit, stretching across an interstate. Even so, I bet we could get pretty good coverage with just 15 or 20 similar volunteers. (And who hasn't been meaning to get more exercise and walk more?)
Could you get volunteers to help distribute flyers that way? Even if you had some gaps, it might be pretty effective if it were one of multiple methods used.
Actually the e-mail way would really reach the parents that are going to have more of a first hand intrest as many are working and need to make arrangments or will want to.
I'm not sure where to begin with an editorial as I am in Metro Denver and the chance my letter being chosen. I could use the local paper (we have one publisher that serves 4 local papers) that's an idea.
I like the calling tree but to get everyone's numbers would be an act of god! The school doesn't even have everyone's number....huge problem!
Hi Mykidsmom--okay couple of things off top of my head. If you are set up w/ a phone tree use it. If not you can use www.callingpost.com
this allows you to enter hundreds of phone#s record 1 message and have it sent out at same time. (.05-.75/per call) You can reach 100 families for $5.00! Also how about a letter to the editor of your local paper or take out an add. E-mails good but not everyone has it. Good Luck!