Forsyth County Schools 2022-2027 Strategic Planning

Goal Area: Climate, Culture, and Community

Performance Objective A: Increase meaningful home, school, and community relationships
Cabinet Leaders: Michele Dugan and Valery Lowe
Initiative #1: Implement resources for FCS to connect with parents/guardians
Performance Measures: Establish baseline and targets for usage in FCS communication tools; increase in future

Action Steps: First Half of Year

CELE promoted and facilitated events on community engagement that provided awareness and opportunity for FCS, parents, and stakeholders to increase meaningful home, school, and community relationships.
CELE hosted Hispanic Heritage Month reception.
CELE hosted students to a National Native American Heritage in house field trip at FoCAL.
Created and began utilizing Forsyth County Education Foundation email address and updated Constant Contact list to better establish communication with Foundation donors.
CELE developed 2024-25 playbook for schools around community events, religious holidays, and leadership sessions offered by CELE.
CELE developed multi-tiered Leadership Engagement Sessions dedicated to working collaboratively with all people to promote inclusivity, school pride, and belonging.
CTAE and Fine Arts partnered to host the Career Exploration & Pathway Discovery evening event for 8^th grade families to explore the variety of pathways offered in high school.
CELE facilitated and lead multi-tiered professional learning for LEAD Academy, Forsyth Teacher Academy, and Administrator meetings to improve the quality, effectiveness and increase meaningful home, school, and community relationships.
CTAE and Fine Arts hosted multiple competitions and performances for middle and high school students, including: GHSA and FCS One Acts, DECA Region, FCS Marching Band Exhibition, Hinton Youth Entrepreneurship Kickoff, Cumming Art Center collaborative art shows
CELE hosted the annual FCS Stakeholder Summit incorporating educators, students, parents, and business and industry partners.
The FoCAL Center organized a range of school, community, and FCS events to enrich stakeholder programs, including the ACE Japanese Esports Exhibition and Cultural Exchange, the Purbasha Music Concert, and elementary and middle school band and chorus performances, among others.
The FoCAL Center expanded its partnerships with schools and local community organizations by participating in district events like the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Holocaust Remembrance, and the GHSA Theatre One-Act Competition.
The FoCAL Center used ticket sales, surveys, testimonials, and participation numbers to measure targets/goals.
Communications Department facilitated professional learning for aspiring leaders, athletic directors, Education Technology Coaches, and current school leaders on best practices in effective communications.
Communications Department offers ongoing support and professional learning for all district departments to engage and communicate with families effectively (e.g. Food & Nutrition, Teaching & Learning, Family Engagement, etc.).
Hosted ongoing Parent & Community Strategic Engagement Advisory sessions; shared information and invited feedback; took action steps as a result of parent feedback.
Launched new website through Finalsite with enhanced capabilities, streamlined access, and ADA-compliant technology to meet community needs.
Communications Department employed diverse communications tools, such as video, to reach a wider audience of stakeholders about timely topics (such as school safety, new legislation, etc.).
Communications Department established procedures for emergency and important notifications for parents (inclement weather, emergencies) to streamline communication.

Action Steps: Second Half of Year

CTAE and Fine Arts hosted multiple competitions, performances and events for middle and high school students, including: GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations, FCS Secondary and Elementary Art Shows, FCS Adaptive Art Show, CTAE Awards Gala, FCS Film Festival, FCS Middle School Honor Band, FCS Elementary Honor Chorus, LAUNCH, Dual Enrollment Night, Trade Talks, Future Educator Signing Day.
CELE hosted UNG Leadership “Nighthawk Impact Tour” focused on future collaboration and building Creative Industries pipeline
CELE hosted a new Partner Connect breakfast to celebrate current community partners and expand knowledge of multi-faceted connections to support FCS.
CTAE and Fine Arts analyzed data and collaborated with administrators to reimagine the career fair for 8^th grade students and families for FY26. Pathway Motive8 will be hosted in Fall 2025 along with a FCS Pathway Information Night for all 8^th grade families.
The FoCAL Center hosted a variety of school, community, and FCS events to enhance stakeholder engagement, including the AAI graduation, promotion ceremonies, year-end band and chorus concerts, and more.
The FoCAL Center used ticket sales, surveys, testimonials, and participation numbers to measure targets/goals.
Communications Department launched 43 new school websites that are streamlined and reimagined to meet family needs and enhance communication.
Communications Department developed communication materials to support the 1:1 Chromebook initiative, helping families understand device expectations, internet safety, and instructional use—all aligned with the district’s distraction-free education goals.
Communications Department supported the final round of Parent & Community Strategic Engagement Advisory sessions and gathered feedback on communication tools and emerging community needs.
Communications Department enhanced ADA accessibility features across digital platforms and continued training on inclusive design practices for web and print communications.
Communications Department provided real-time updates and layered communications during district-wide events (weather alerts, safety updates, other disruptions), reinforcing trust and reliability with families.
Communications Department explored options for a centralized parent communication hub to streamline messaging across schools and departments, ensuring families receive timely, consistent, and accessible information from one trusted location.
Communications Department developed and distributed a comprehensive Distraction-Free Education Toolkit for schools, including newsletter language, parent letters, posters, and social media graphics to support clear and aligned communication around the new policy.

Mid-Year Checkpoint

In the first semester, FCS focused on strengthening home, school, and community relationships through engagement events, enhanced communication, and leadership development. CELE facilitated cultural celebrations, such as Hispanic Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Month, while also launching a playbook for community events and leadership sessions. The Communications Department improved outreach with a new ADA-compliant website, video messaging, and streamlined emergency notifications. Professional learning opportunities were provided for educators and leaders to enhance family engagement. CTAE and Fine Arts hosted career exploration events and student competitions, while the FoCAL Center expanded partnerships and hosted various school and community events. Moving into the second semester, FCS aims to build on these initiatives, further refining communication strategies and fostering deeper collaboration between families, schools, and the community.

Year-End Results and Reflection

Forsyth County Schools made intentional strides in strengthening connections among families, schools, and the broader community. Through meaningful events, strategic partnerships, and enhanced communication tools, departments worked collaboratively to support inclusive engagement and transparent communication with all stakeholders.

The first semester laid a strong foundation through impactful events such as the Hispanic Heritage Reception, National Native American Heritage Field Trip, and the FCS Stakeholder Summit. CELE’s leadership in creating a comprehensive community engagement playbook and hosting leadership development sessions ensured that schools had the tools and guidance to foster inclusive, community-driven school cultures. Simultaneously, CTAE and Fine Arts offered high-profile opportunities for students and families to engage in pathway exploration, competitions, and performances that spotlighted talent and collaboration across all grade levels.

In the second semester, these efforts were expanded through events like the UNG Nighthawk Impact Tour, Partner Connect Breakfast, and the continued rollout of arts showcases and future-focused programming such as Future Educator Signing Day and Pathway Motive8 planning. The FoCAL Center remained a vibrant hub for student and community engagement, supporting both cultural programming and milestone celebrations while consistently gathering data to inform future planning.

The Communications Department played a pivotal role in advancing the district’s family engagement goals. Efforts included launching the new district website, enhancing ADA accessibility, and delivering targeted messaging on initiatives such as the 1:1 Chromebook rollout and the Distraction-Free Education policy. The development of a Distraction-Free Education Toolkit and exploration of a centralized communication hub reflected the department’s commitment to clarity, consistency, and proactive outreach. Parent & Community Strategic Engagement Advisory sessions continued throughout the year, ensuring family voices helped shape communication practices moving forward.

Overall, the district’s coordinated work across departments reflects a clear commitment to fostering a well-informed, inclusive, and connected school community where every family feels welcomed, heard, and supported.

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