MINGO JUNCTION — The Indian Creek Local School District is making strides with communication as officials start the ParentSquare platform in January.

During the regular school board meeting on Dec. 18 at Indian Creek Middle School, Assistant Superintendent John Belt discussed the ParentSquare online platform that Indian Creek is utilizing to share information with the school community.

The all-in-one platform will be rolled out on Jan. 5 in an effort to unify communications through the phone, computer or free app. Users may download the app to stay involved with their student’s learning and activities at school, plus it will provide updates, access to school news and events and allow for communication with teachers, staff, and coaches and more.

“ParentSquare is a new communication platform and it will replace what we have,” Belt said. “It has a safety component because it’s on a state-approved list,” Belt explained. “This will protect against cyberattacks and 99 percent of families in the district are already connected to the system.”

He said parents must log into the system to connect and receive texts, emails and phone messages as well as information on weather cancellations.

“We’ll do a campaign to get it out,” Belt added. “We’ll make flyers and it has been in the media. A nice factor is that it can include a calendar and we can post on ParentSquare, on the school website, and on social media at the same time, plus when you use the platform you have a record and the IP will be safe.”

Meanwhile, District Public Relations Specialist Amy Colantoni updated the board on activities through December, saying it has been an exciting month filled with growth, connection and continued momentum throughout the district.

“Over the past several weeks, public relations has concentrated on strengthening internal communication systems, growing community partnerships and raising the profile of our students, staff, and programs across the digital, print and media channels,” Colantoni said. “Tonight, you’ll notice themes of connection, consistency and innovation across every project. Each initiative is helping Indian Creek continue to grow its identity and strengthen our story.”

She cited internal communications efforts to strengthen district connections — communication transparency and consistency in messaging — as well as engagement in outreach and community connections. Community outreach includes the Meals of Hope collaboration with the United Way of Jefferson County and Franciscan University, the Ohio Valley Health Center door-decorating contest with help from Indian Creek High School art teacher Amanda Speece and her students, Cross Creek Elementary’s social media community challenge with local businesses, Hills Elementary’s collection for the Jefferson County Humane Society and interaction with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Indian Creek Foundation’s annual Christmas concert and sponsorship support, business follow-up communications, promotional commercials and social media presence and media relations with local television stations to newspapers, general district communications from district insights and growth reporting to strategic communication planning and online and social media strategy ranging from “2-Minute Tuesday Talk with Dr. Chappelear” to digital storytelling and content.