COMMUNICATIONS
EMILY CLARK, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
CONTACT
19463 Pherson Pike
Williamsport, Ohio 43164
740-986-3671
emily.clark@westfallschools.com
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERS
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The Westfall Local School District Communications Department streamlines the major communication avenues within the District to better coordinate and share information with the public. Our main goal is to develop and maintain external communication platforms that build relationships centered on trust and transparency with those we serve and those we are accountable to.
The department is responsible for organizing and managing all District communications and ensuring strategies are in alignment with the District’s values and core beliefs. Additionally, it is responsible for all media relations, internal and external communications, public information requests, Westfall Local Schools website, District publications, and managing District social media accounts, among other duties.
The department strives to achieve one goal — to maintain ongoing, open, and effective communications with our stakeholders (staff, students, parents, and community members) in meaningful and engaging ways.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at emily.clark@westfallschools.com
COMMUNICATIONS - IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
Westfall Local School District follows a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which includes procedures for a wide variety of emergencies. Student safety is the priority in every phase of the EOP, and we remain in constant contact with local emergency management officials throughout any emergency. Communication is a major component of our EOP. Westfall Local School District utilizes several communications methods to keep parents informed, depending on the nature of the incident and the actions we may need parents to take. These include the Westfall Local Schools mobile app, website, Facebook and Twitter, an automated notification system (text, e-mail, and/or telephone messages), and when needed, the news media. In order to focus our attention on student safety during an emergency, communications efforts will be coordinated at the district level.
In a true emergency, events happen fast and situations can vary from building to building. We will do our best to keep you informed in a timely manner, especially as it pertains to early or delayed dismissal times, transportation issues, and any other changes to your child’s instructional day. We understand that there is not one communication tool that will reach everyone, so throughout the course of an emergency, we may use a variety of methods to communicate with you. Please remember that the nature of the situation will determine which communications method we use. Non-emergency situational updates will generally be made via social media.
When a specific response or instructions are required, multiple communications methods will be utilized.
The Westfall Local Schools Mobile App
Our mobile app is the primary communications tool for all Westfall Local School District news and information. During a crisis situation, the district will send important updates and instructions to parents via push notifications through the app. Phone numbers and email addresses listed in FinalForms are automatically downloaded into the app, but parents can add additional contacts as needed. Please check the app to be sure you are logged in, but users do not have to be logged in to receive emergency notifications.
Messages will be posted as quickly as possible to Westfall Local School District's Facebook page and Twitter feed, and, when possible, the building pages.
The Westfall Local School District website
District-wide emergency messages and updates will be posted on every Westfall Local School's webpage as they develop.
Parent Notification System (text, e-mail, and/or telephone messages):
The district will provide updated information as needed to all parent and emergency contact telephone numbers and email addresses in the system. This may be utilized for a specific campus building.
Local News Media
When appropriate, Westfall Local School District will make information available to local television and radio stations and will enlist their assistance in communicating with our audiences.
Please remember that we work very hard to keep your children safe at school. In the event of severe weather or another emergency where conditions outside the school are unsafe, we will shelter students and staff in place and avoid sending anyone outside of the building until the threat has passed.
During emergencies, we urge you to avoid coming to the school until you are notified that it is safe to do so. If you choose to do so, there may be significant delays in our ability to release individual students to parents, as our priority will be maintaining the safety of the overall campus population. When regular dismissal times or procedures are altered due to an emergency, we will have a student sign-out process in place for the safety of all concerned.
Every day we focus on creating a safe and secure instructional environment. As a parent, you can help by having the Westfall Local School District app downloaded on your mobile device and making sure all your contact information is up to date on your student's FinalForms.
Thank you for being a part of our Mustang Family, and collaborating with us to keep our school safe, the Westfall Way!