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RICH TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 227

Date: July 2020
To: Board of Education

From: Dr. Johnnie Thomas

Re: Executive Summary (Confidential)

Communications

In June 2020, the Communications Department at Rich Township High School District 227
collaborated with Educational Services, Business Office, and Human Resources Department to
develop and distribute multiple crisis communications documents and videos in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and 2020-21 school year information, distributed the District’s virtual
graduation ceremony for Rich Central, Rich East, and Rich South High Schools, produced several
video projects that promoted the District’s vision and belief statements, and began film production
for a project that communicates 2020-21 school year information.

In June 2020, the Department distributed written and video updates from the Superintendent’s
Office on June 5, June 13, June 22 and June 29. These videos provide an opportunity for
stakeholders to have a personal connection with the Superintendent during these times of isolation
due to social distancing and allow the District to monitor feedback from stakeholders. The
messages include updates on district initiatives, new information as it relates to the District’s
response to COVID-19 and reopening in the fall, and other important information that must be
communicated to district staff and families.
When film production for the Rich Township High School campuses virtual graduation wrapped up
in late May 2020, the Department identified the most effective method of communication for the
videos would be via self-publishing methods, i.e. district social media platforms, and also through
the District’s Village partners’ public access channels. The Department published the Rich South
virtual graduation video was posted to Facebook on June 7; the Rich Central virtual graduation
video was posted to Facebook on June 8; and the Rich East virtual graduation video was posted to
Facebook on June 12. In addition to Facebook, the videos were posted to YouTube. On Facebook,
in total, the videos have accumulated over 10,800 views and have reached over 20,400 users. On
YouTube, in total, the videos have accumulated over 2,400 views and each video has been rated
“100%” by district channel subscribers and voters. On both platforms, the videos have received
overwhelming positive feedback from our stakeholders, assessed via quality of comments, number
of likes, number of views and other factors. To date, the videos have been broadcasted on Park
Forest, Richton Park, Matteson, and Country Club Hills public access channels.