CommunicationPrincipalsSchool Newsletter

Why Every Principal Needs a Monthly School Newsletter (And How to Start Today)

Dr. Kara Stern
6 min read
Father and daughter reading the Principal's Weekly Smore Newsletter

“If I had more time, I’d send out a newsletter.”
Almost every principal, at some point.

Sound familiar? Between walk-throughs, staff meetings, and responding to everything from district mandates to urgent emails, consistent parent communication can feel like one more item on a never-ending to-do list.

But here’s the truth: a monthly school newsletter is one of the most effective, strategic tools in your leadership toolbox (and it doesn’t have to be complicated).

In this post, we’ll break down why a monthly newsletter matters, what it does for your school community, and how to launch one today using a tool built specifically for school leaders like you.

Why a Monthly Newsletter Should Be a Principal’s Priority

Think of a school newsletter as the digital front porch of your school. It’s where you invite families in, share what matters most, and reinforce the values that guide your work.

When you send out a newsletter consistently, you’re not just communicating, you’re leading.

1. Strengthen Parent Communication and Build Trust

Today’s families want transparency, connection, and clarity. A monthly newsletter meets those needs with ease. Whether it’s celebrating achievements, providing updates, or offering tips for supporting students at home, your newsletter becomes a vital link between school and home.

And it’s not just anecdotal: research links effective parent teacher communication to improved student outcomes—from attendance and behavior to test scores.

2. Reduce Misinformation and Reinforce Your Voice

In the absence of a clear message, families may turn to hearsay, social media, or outdated information. By providing a trusted, consistent source of truth each month, you keep your school community aligned and informed.

And because the message is coming directly from you, the principal, it carries authority and clarity, two qualities parents respect.

3. Showcase the Soul of Your School

Your newsletter isn’t just for reminders and dates, it’s a storytelling tool. When you spotlight staff, share student artwork, or write a heartfelt reflection, you give families a front-row seat to the heartbeat of your school.

This strengthens school pride, builds community, and highlights the everyday magic happening in your halls.

“But I Don’t Have Time for a Newsletter…”

We hear this all the time. You’re not alone if you’ve thought:

  • “I’m not a writer or designer.”
  • “We already use a school communication app for announcements.”
  • “I don’t have time to do this every month.”

And that’s exactly why Smore exists.

Smore is a school communication platform designed for educators—with mobile-friendly templates, drag-and-drop design, and real-time analytics that help you work smarter, not harder.

You don’t need to start from scratch. You just need to start with Smore.

How to Start a Monthly School Newsletter (In Less Than 10 Minutes)

Ready to launch your first newsletter? Here’s a simple, repeatable formula to follow.

✅ Step 1: Choose a Consistent Format

Every newsletter should feel familiar. Create a structure you can reuse each month, like:

  • Principal’s message: A few sentences on your goals or reflections
  • Upcoming events: Key dates or reminders
  • Highlights: Staff shoutouts, student features, or classroom spotlights
  • Resources: School links, lunch menus, or behavior tips

🎯 With Smore, you can save your newsletter as a template and duplicate it every month, so the structure’s ready when you are.

✅ Step 2: Keep It Short and Visual

You don’t need to write an essay. In fact, shorter is better.

Use photos, videos, and bullet points to keep things scannable. Smore’s visual layout tools help you create professional newsletters that look great on any device, with no design skills needed.

📸 Bonus tip: Share pictures from school events or classroom activities. Families love seeing their kids in action.

✅ Step 3: Add a Personal Touch

Whether you’re celebrating a win, sharing a challenge, or just saying thank you, families want to hear your voice. A brief, genuine message from the principal goes a long way.

Try something like:

“This month, we’re focusing on kindness in the classroom. I’m so proud of the way our students are stepping up to support each other…”

✅ Step 4: Send and Track Engagement

Once your newsletter is ready, share it with your families via email or text. Smore automatically generates a mobile-optimized version—and gives you insights into who’s opening and reading it.

📊 Use Smore’s built-in analytics dashboard to track views, clicks, and top-performing sections. This helps you learn what resonates and plan future content.

Insert: Smore Analytics Video 

School Newsletter Content Ideas to Keep It Fresh

Need inspiration for each month? Mix and match these ideas to keep your newsletters engaging:

📌 Pro Tip: Use your newsletter to reinforce school-wide initiatives, like SEL themes, attendance campaigns, or behavior expectations.

Why Smore Is the Best Tool for School Newsletters

Not all school communication apps are built for storytelling. Some are designed only for alerts or quick updates. Smore was made with educators in mind—combining flexibility, ease of use, and beautiful design.

With Smore, you get:

✅ Customizable templates for school newsletters
✅ Drag-and-drop design (no coding or formatting headaches)
✅ Mobile-optimized layouts
✅ Language translation support for multilingual families
✅ Real-time engagement analytics
✅ Easy sharing by email, social, or embedded on your school website

Whether you’re in a large urban district or a small rural school, Smore helps you communicate with confidence.

Final Thoughts: Your Leadership Message Matters

Your school community looks to you for direction, clarity, and encouragement. A monthly newsletter may seem like a small thing, but it has the power to unite your staff and families around a shared purpose.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

With Smore, your monthly newsletter becomes a simple, powerful way to lead with your voice.


Start today, stay consistent, and watch your community grow stronger, one update at a time.

✨ Ready to Lead with Communication?

👉 Try Smore Free and Start Your First Newsletter Today

Dr. Kara Stern

Dr. Kara Stern began her career as an ELA teacher, then shifted into administration as a middle school principal. Dr. Stern is a fervent advocate for equitable communication and family engagement. She spent five years as Executive Director at Math for America, where she designed the professional learning community that exists to this day. An unexpected move to Tel Aviv launched her into the world of EdTech where she became the Director of Education Content for Smore and then the Head of Education Solutions at SchoolStatus. Outside of work, she indulges her love for reading, devouring two novels weekly, with a particular fondness for heists and spy stories.

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