Keep Family Engagement Strong All Summer Long
Summer break is on the horizon—but staying connected with families shouldn’t hit pause. Whether it’s sharing facility updates, highlighting summer learning opportunities, or making sure families know who to contact, summer is a powerful time to build trust and set the tone for a smooth return in the fall.
In our recent Smore webinar, Ideas for Keeping Families Engaged During Summertime, Dr. Kara Stern, Smore’s Director of Education & Engagement, was joined by Dr. Harold Abraham, Chief School Administrator at Lebanon Township School District. Together, they shared practical, proven strategies to help districts maintain strong school-home communication—even when school isn’t in session.
Here’s what they had to say.
Why Summer Communication Still Matters
Families want to stay in the loop—even when school’s out. Keeping that connection going over the summer does more than just inform: it builds community, eases back-to-school stress, and helps families feel seen and supported.
Dr. Abraham emphasized the value of transparency during the quieter months. Sharing updates about building improvements, new hires, or curriculum changes can go a long way in keeping families confident and informed.
“You’re building trust by being transparent,” he explained. “It goes a long way with the community.”
What Gets in the Way—and How to Fix It
Let’s be honest—summer communication isn’t always easy. Between smaller staffing, shifting priorities, and family vacations, staying consistent can be a challenge. But with a few intentional moves, you can make it work.
✅ Challenge: Families don’t know who to reach out to
Fix it: Include a simple contact list in every update.
Dr. Abraham shared that one of the biggest pain points over the summer is confusion about who’s available to help. Including a quick staff directory—with names, roles, and contact info—saves time for everyone and reduces stress for families.
✅ Challenge: Fewer hands on deck
Fix it: Plan ahead and schedule content.
With a lighter team in place, planning is your best friend. Create templates, schedule messages, and automate what you can. It’s less work in the moment—and it keeps families feeling supported.
What to Share Over the Summer
1. Share what’s happening
Families appreciate updates that feel timely and relevant:
- Building renovations or upgrades
- New staff introductions
- Summer learning options
- Key dates for the new school year
2. Make contact info clear
Avoid the summer scramble by letting families know:
- Who’s available
- What they’re responsible for
- When and how to reach them
3. Use your communication data
Open rates, click-throughs, and engagement trends help you figure out what your families care about—and tailor your messages accordingly.
Tools That Make Summer Communication Easier
Summer’s a great time to simplify your workflow. In the webinar, Dr. Stern and Dr. Abraham walked through several Smore for Teams features that make it easier to keep communications consistent:
- Team collaboration: Build newsletters together, even when staff are remote
- Visibility tools: See who’s sending what across your district
- Brand Kit: Keep branding consistent without extra work
- Analytics: Track what’s working and use that info to improve
Keep It Accessible for Every Family
Summer is a time when access gaps can widen—so be intentional.
Here’s how:
- Use translation tools to support multilingual families
- Make sure newsletters are mobile-friendly and accessible
- Prioritize digital-first formats over print to reach families where they are
“Summer shouldn’t widen opportunity gaps,” Dr. Stern noted. “Your communication strategy should help close them.”
Key Takeaways
- Staying in touch over the summer helps families feel connected and confident
- A few simple strategies—like contact directories and scheduled content—make a big impact
- Tools like Smore for Teams help keep communication efficient and consistent
- Summer is the perfect time to review, plan, and prep your strategy for the year ahead
- Accessibility and inclusion should always stay front and center
Watch the Webinar On-Demand
🎥 School’s Out, But Communication Isn’t
Dr. Kara Stern and Dr. Harold Abraham share their best tips for summer communication that keeps families engaged and informed.
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