“” Build a Summertime Communication Culture: Strategies for K-12 | Smore
WEBINAR

Build a Communication Culture: Summertime Strategies That Connect Families, Staff, and Students

June 23rd at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET

Great school communication starts in the central office. When district leaders set a standard for how information is shared, staff stay in sync, families feel informed, and students see the difference. But building that kind of culture can be harder than it looks! Which makes summer the perfect time to get it all dialed in.

Join us for a free webinar where Christopher Alms, Director of Technology and Communications at Prospect Heights School District 23, and SchoolStatus & Smore’s own Dr. Kara Stern, PhD, walk us through how Prospect Heights built a communication culture that works at every level. They’ll explore real newsletter examples, delve into the systems that keep messaging consistent district-wide, and share a practical framework you can bring back to your team this summer.

During this free webinar, you’ll learn:

  • How to establish a district-wide communication standard that staff actually follow
  • What a healthy internal communication culture looks like, from the central office to the classroom
  • Tools and templates that make consistent, high-quality outreach easier for everyone

Smore mascot on surfboard with two "District Update" newsletter templates behind

Meet the Speakers

Christopher Alms
Director of Technology and Communications, Prospect Heights School District 23

Chris Alms began his career as a special education paraprofessional, later becoming a 7th grade Language Arts teacher and then Assistant Principal at Prospect Heights School District 23. Since 2022, he has served as the district’s Director of Technology and Information Services, leading efforts to integrate technology as a tool to improve student engagement, elevate academic rigor, and transform instructional practices in and out of the classroom. He holds an Ed.S. with Type-75 Administrative Certification from National Louis University.

Dr. Kara Stern
Director, Education and Engagement, Smore & SchoolStatus

Dr. Kara Stern has seen school from just about every angle: high school English teacher, middle school principal, fellowship director for math and science teachers across New York City, and head of school at a rural N-12 school. That breadth is what she brings to her work at Smore, where she writes, speaks, and challenges educators to build the kinds of school communities where every student thrives. She holds a Master’s in Education Leadership from Teachers College and a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from NYU.

© Copyright 2026 Smore. All rights reserved.