OnCall Files
2023
2022
June/July
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Are you partnering with your students for their success? PDF | RTF
- Building and nurturing a relationship with retirees PDF | RTF
- Plan your announcements PDF | RTF
- Recruiting and caring for volunteers PDF | RTF
- Here’s to you! PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Make it a fun, productive summer PDF | RTF
May
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Celebrate your seniors: Tips for social media and local recognition PDF | RTF
- Refresher for your in-person graduation events: Sample script and ceremony set up PDF | RTF
- Responding to requests for public records PDF | RTF
- Sample graduation speech PDF | RTF
- Tips for planning your next event PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Help students get ready for finals week PDF | RTF
April
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Key Dates PDF | RTF
- Communications planning templates and samples PDF | RTF
- Follow your vision, mission, goals PDF | RTF
- The value of in-person communication PDF | RTF
- When to market and when to engage PDF | RTF
- Insights for families: Are your kids respectful at school? PDF | RTF
March
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- An informed staff is essential to crisis communication PDF | RTF
- Apology-writing tips and how to make the most of a mistake PDF | RTF
- Developing empathy as a board member PDF | RTF
- Understanding the budget process PDF | RTF
- Why email is still and effective way to reach people PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: Recognize and stop virtual bullies PDF | RTF
February
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Increasing visibility to improve trust PDF | RTF
- Inviting people into schools PDF | RTF
- Schools boards: Understanding your role is critical in a crisis PDF | RTF
- Thank you for your board service: Resources for new and reelected school board members PDF | RTF
- Tips for building social media accounts PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: Kids need mental health help PDF | RTF
January
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Accreditation in public relations and why it matters PDF | RTF
- Keep families engaged with an easy-to-use website PDF | RTF
- What is your professional development plan? PDF | RTF
- What should you put in your newsletters? PDF | RTF
- Here’s to You! Tips for good health PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: Vaccines, boosters and kids PDF | RTF
2021
November/December
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- PR is an invaluable management function PDF | RTF
- Refreshing your safety practices PDF | RTF
- Share information about your nutrition program PDF | RTF
- Supporting the health and well-being of teachers PDF | RTF
- Tips for schools: A pandemic twist on the teacher-feature PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: Cell phone use among kids and teens PDF | RTF
October
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- How and Why to Use Twitter as a School Leader PDF | RTF
- Let Students Take the Lead During Parent Conferences PDF | RTF
- Make Your Information Accessible and Understandable PDF | RTF
- Plan Your PR With Tickler Folders PDF | RTF
- Survey Data: Still Valuable and Much Harder to Get PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: Help Your Kids Learn Math PDF | RTF
September
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Dealing With Irate Parents and Difficult Board Members PDF | RTF
- Developing the Message PDF | RTF
- Resource Roundup: Help Parents Cope with Pandemic Uncertainty PDF | RTF
- School-to-Parent Letter Templates PDF | RTF
- What School Administrators Need to Know about PR to be Successful PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: Exercise Helps Kids Learn PDF | RTF
August
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Bringing them back: Reengaging students after COVID PDF | RTF
- Can good public relations substitute for marketing? PDF | RTF
- Leading in a crisis — lessons learned PDF | RTF
- Plan your parent update system PDF | RTF
- Reminding staff about public records laws PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: Starting a new school year and returning to buildings PDF | RTF
June/July
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Communication tips for your reopening PDF | RTF
- Feature your teachers (and staff) in your content plan PDF | RTF
- How to make parents partners in education PDF | RTF
- The power of student voice PDF | RTF
- Heres to you PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: The dangers of vaping PDF | RTF
May
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Case study: #RideTogether, a campaign for employee relations PDF | RTF
- Lead with empathy PDF | RTF
- Students need an inspiring graduation speech PDF | RTF
- Teaching in the time of COVID: When a “drive-by” is good for families PDF | RTF
- Update your communications plan PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: The importance of social connections PDF | RTF
April
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- 2021-22 key dates for school calendars PDF | RTF
- Plan your school recognitions and celebrations PDF | RTF
- Refresher guide to AP style PDF | RTF
- School board 101: Help new board members become members of your school team PDF | RTF
- School board tips for professional online activity PDF | RTF
- Insights for parents: COVID-19 and kids’ mental health PDF | RTF
March
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Collaboration works PDF | RTF
- The mechanics of launching your e-newsletter PDF | RTF
- Media tips for school board members PDF | RTF
- Trust and good communication starts with good leadership PDF | RTF
- Why be transparent PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Helping your child learn to read PDF | RTF
February
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Celebrate virtual learning PDF | RTF
- Make a plan to review your successes and failures of the COVID-19 crisis PDF | RTF
- Meet your communications goals with an e-newsletter PDF | RTF
- Treating your staff with extra care and kindness PDF | RTF
- Your annual report is a report card for your community PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Being a good digital citizen PDF | RTF
January
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Parents are partners in education PDF | RTF
- Policy refresher for school boards PDF | RTF
- Speak carefully to avoid miscommunication PDF | RTF
- Web accessibility benefits everyone PDF | RTF
- Here’s to you! PDF | RTF
- Insights for Families: Focus on skill building PDF | RTF
2020
November/December
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Attendance still matters PDF | RTF
- Communicate, communicate! PDF | RTF
- Controlling comments on Facebook PDF | RTF
- Launching a new app or system for parents, students or staff PDF | RTF
- Protecting student privacy during remote learning PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: COVID-19 mental health tips for teens PDF | RTF
- Revised Key Dates PDF
October
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Anti-racism resources to address racism and bias in schools PDF | RTF
- How do you treat your substitutes? PDF | RTF
- Make your communications count PDF | RTF
- Managing an online community: troll patrol PDF | RTF
- Social media photos for the 2020-21 school year PDF | RTF
- Social media photo guide for 2020-21 school year PDF
- Insights for Parents: Help your child succeed in online classes PDF | RTF
September
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Getting ready for the next normal and the one after that PDF | RTF
- Podcasting 101 PDF | RTF
- Sample school letter templates for issues related to COVID-19 PDF | RTF
- Serve your students better by understanding their cultures PDF|RTF
- Using surveys to increase engagement PDF|RTF
- Insights for Parents: Masks for children PDF|RTF
August
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Communications staff must be part of the decision-making team PDF | RTF
- How and why to write a letter to the editor PDF | RTF
- Making social media a priority this school year — in five simple tips! PDF | RTF
- School board members can create cooperation from confrontation PDF | RTF
- What can schools say about current hot-button issues? PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Validate your kids’ feelings PDF | RTF
June/July
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Five video ideas for your school social media accounts PDF | RTF
- Plan now for fall PDF | RTF
- Surveys, Part 1 PDF | RTF
- Surveys, Part 2 PDF | RTF
- Here’s to You! PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Dealing with COVID-19 stress PDF | RTF
- Key Dates PDF
May
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Be radically clear in your crisis communications PDF | RTF
- Communication skills for school administrators PDF | RTF
- Creating institutional change PDF | RTF
- Graduating in a time of COVID-19 PDF | RTF
- Maximizing community partnerships PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Resources for learning during closures PDF | RTF
April
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Tips for effective bond communications PDF | RTF
- Review and update your crisis communications plan PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: What can you do about the coronavirus? PDF | RTF
- Helping your homeless students PDF | RTF
- What can you say? Guidelines for talking about politics PDF | RTF
- 2020-21 Key Dates for School Calendars PDF | RTF
March
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Case study: Strategic planning for social and emotional needs PDF| RTF
- How strategic plan campaigns launch organizational change PDF| RTF
- Training for school board members PDF | RTF
- What do your parents want to know? PDF | RTF
- Writing for an eighth grader — some things never change PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Parent tips for teacher conferences PDF| RTF
February
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Communicating about chronic absenteeism PDF | RTF
- Eight steps to plot your style guide PDF | RTF
- Make them green with envy: Be the best with color! PDF | RTF
- Resource round-up: References for text and image content PDF | RTF
- Succession planning for a smooth transition PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Reducing chronic absenteeism PDF | RTF
January
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Engaging retired staff in schools PDF| RTF
- Marketing your online programs PDF | RTF
- Refresh your diversity training PDF | RTF
- Your intranet: Make it “Grand Central” for everyone PDF | RTF
- Here’s to you! PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Mid-year check-in PDF| RTF
2019
November/December
- Cover PDF
- Full Issue – Nov-Dec PDF
- Adding infographics to you content toolbox PDF| RTF
- Adding student work to your content strategy PDF | RTF
- Improving your attendance rates PDF | RTF
- Making budgets easier to understand PDF | RTF
- Your primer for PR consultants PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Digital fluency PDF| RTF
October
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Communications training for principals PDF| RTF
- Getting the message: How schools and parents communicate PDF | RTF
- Share your good news with your community PDF | RTF
- Update your school letter templates for the new school year PDF | RTF
- Where do you find your good news stories? PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Setting limits on social media PDF
September
- Cover PDF
- Growing leaders from your staff PDF | RTF
- The importance of working with realtors PDF | RTF
- Print is not dead – or why a printed newspaper is a useful tool PDF | RTF
- Share information to help parents with school lunch options PDF | RTF
- Who are you talking to? Tailoring your writing style for your audience PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: Personal Finance PDF | RTF
August
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Communications planning: Editorial calendar for the new year PDF
- Contracts and pledges confirm commitment to school success PDF
- Set and share clear expectations for communicating with parents PDF | RTF
- Timing is everything when you share your news PDF
- What are your school rules and how do you share them? PDF | RTF
- INSIGHTS FOR PARENTS: School Success Tips PDF | RTF
June/July
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Summer PR Planning Checklist PDF | RTF
- Here’s to You! PDF | RTF
- Insights: Keep Learning This Summer PDF | RTF
- SEO in 2019: Beyond Basics PDF | RTF
- Sharing Summer Facilities Work PDF | RTF
- Alternative School Graduation Tips PDF | RTF
May
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- How is Your Key Communicator Network PDF
- Including Students in Decisions PDF
- Insights: Motivating Your Kids PDF
- Schools As Their Own News Outlets PDF
- Sharing Safety Information PDF
- Tips for Your Graduation Program PDF
April
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Insights: Communications Skills PDF | RTF
- Key Dates PDF | RTF
- Listen to Your Critics PDF | RTF
- Recognizing and Appreciating Staff PDF | RTF
- Responses to Staff or Student Deaths PDF | RTF
- Tips to Address the Behavioral Crisis PDF | RTF
March
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- The benefits of school board leadership training PDF | RTF
- Considering hiring an ex-journalist as a school communicator? PDF | RTF
- Do you have a communication plan for immunizations? PDF | RTF
- Evaluating your communications: Understanding and assessing your effectiveness PDF | RTF
- Finding the right people for the team PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Immunizing kids against disease PDF | RTF
February
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Do you have a policy for that? Crowdfunding for classroom activities and programs PDF | RTF
- Evaluating your communications: Understanding and assessingyour effectiveness PDF | RTF
- Internet censorship: How and why to moderate content and manage trolls PDF | RTF
- Protect your credibility through careful proofreading PDF | RTF
- When something changes prepare your office staff to serve customers efficiently, consistently PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Monitor online activity PDF | RTF
January
- Cover PDF
- OnCall – Full Issue PDF
- Communicating through images PDF | RTF
- Evaluate your election results: What to do when you win and when you lose PDF | RTF
- The new currency: Getting their attention in three seconds PDF | RTF
- Maintaining civility at board meetings PDF | RTF
- Here’s to You! Tips for your good health PDF | RTF
- Insights for Parents: Student Success PDF | RTF
The following issues are available in PDF only.