Communication Services

• Communication Support: From traditional media relations to social media engagement, and everything in between, our partnership plays to our strengths. Your district will benefit from Erie 1 BOCES’ text and visual creative experts. All levels of our managed service will include onsite planning meetings, onsite visual content support and regular reporting. 
  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
• PR BOCES-Based: Erie 1 BOCES will provide up to 15 hours of time to work on a communications project. For example, we'll plan, coordinate and edit district-provided content for your print and electronic publications. Or we'll lead the efforts to start a district's social media presence or short online video. This collaborative effort places the long-term ownership of a project within the school district, but Communication Services' experience in project management will ensure a professional and polished outcome at a reasonable price.
• PR As-Needed: Districts may contract for public relations assistance to supplement and maximize the efforts of their own in-house communications specialist during special projects or at peak times during the school year. As-Needed Services can be developed for on-site assistance during a designated period of time, or on a per-project basis for the occasional needs that surface during the school year.
• Hourly Service: We are a trusted partner to weigh in on your communication efforts. From writing and editing drafts to reviewing a plan for communication consistency. Please consider this service for reports, speeches, video scripts, webpages, newspaper columns, letters to the community, press releases and other publications.
• Plan with Communication Audit: From capital project votes to annual community engagement, our communication professional will meet with you to discuss your community climate and communication options. Following an audit of communications being sent by the district, that staff member will then draft a high-level plan that outlines the findings and includes: suggested efficiencies, possible communication tactics for your audiences, a timeline or workflow for next steps, and provide a detailed estimate for possible Communication Services specific to your next steps.

Print, Graphics and Copy Services: This service provides offset printing for calendars, newsletters, brochures, flyers, forms and other publications. The copy center provides high volume duplicating (black and white and color), and finishing services such as lamination and bindery. The graphics service can design your newsletter, school calendar, brochures, forms and other publications. This service can also develop educational posters, charts, graphs and produce high quality, individualized instructional materials. Quotes will be provided upon request.

• Video Planning, Scripts, Interviews: Every strong video begins with a plan and a clear message. Before cameras start rolling, let us help you prepare and assist with video production where you need it most.
• Video Recording, Graphics, Edits: From recording a moment to editing a full-length web video, or simply creating a unique motion graphic for your own in-house efforts - we can help with your video presentation needs.
• Podcast: Podcasting’s reach is wider than ever, especially for adults in the age group of 35-54 years old. Our broadcasting professionals will plan, create, edit and upload your show with the compelling content that matters most to your district.

• Plan - Social Media
  • Level 1: Our communications professional will meet with you to discuss your current communication processes and social media options. We'll review your board approved website policy, FERPA policy and website guidelines (provided by the district). Our communications professional will then draft a social media plan that includes a timeline, suggested review/revision to your existing policy/guidelines (if needed), suggested social media selection(s) and provide a suggested workflow for posting practices. After reviewing this draft with the district, a final plan will be provided.
  • Level 2: After finalizing your social media plan, it is time to implement it, but not every school district has the resources available. From crafting new guidelines, building the page, providing training and resources - our team will help your school district implement your new social media plan.
• Online Posting
  • BOCES-Based: Over the course of the year, Erie 1 BOCES will provide up to 5 hours per week to upload and layout district-provided content to the district's website and social media accounts. Our designers will brand district-provided visuals and create graphics for social posts that need imagery.
  • Emergency Support: Designate us as an emergency backup in your crisis plan. Over the course of the fiscal year, Erie 1 BOCES will provide up to 1 hour per month of after-hours support (4-9 p.m.; 6-8 a.m.) to upload and layout district-provided emergency content to the district’s website and social media accounts. Our designers will brand district-provided visuals and create graphics for social posts that need imagery.

• Incident Support: In a crisis, you need extra hands you can trust. From additional media relations support to unbiased messaging review and social media monitoring, we can be a knowledgeable extension of your office.
• Systems Drill: Test your district’s emergency broadcast system. Our team will plan and coordinate with your key staff an annual drill to ensure your communication process and tools run as expected. As the drill will involve your community, a recommended communication plan and accompanying draft messages will also be available. After the drill occurs, a recap with recommendations will be provided. 
• Digital Toolkit: An online resource that your district’s crisis team can access at anytime, anywhere. The password-protected site will contain various templated letters, pre-customized with your district’s branded information. The site will include additional sections containing crisis communication best practices, standard communication protocols and your crisis team’s contact information. As new letters are crafted during the year, they will be automatically included.