Schools Tap Coronavirus Update Centers to Avoid Panic in School Community

CINCINNATI, March 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a public service response to mounting pressure on school districts to communicate urgent news about the potential spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 in their school communities, school website provider Campus Suite is offering school districts an online solution for relaying urgent risk communication news and information. Through April 15, Campus Suite is reducing the cost of installing a 'Corona Update Center' on school district websites. 

The Coronavirus Update Center is a website plugin that can be applied to a school website and deployed within 24 hours of being ordered. Content for the update center includes a real-time news feed for original school content, school cancellation and other related policies, links to official local and state health departments, and a link to the COVID-19 page of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

As schools grapple with COVID-19 planning and contingencies, the Coronavirus Update Center provides a hub for centralized communications to keep messaging clear, accurate and organized. Content from the update center can also be pushed to the district's social media channels notification/alert systems to broaden the reach of time-sensitive information.

As an additional public service, Campus Suite, has launched the Coronavirus School Communications Center, a free resource to assist school administrators plan, equip and respond about COVID-19 ramifications in their respective school communities. It includes media coaching, planning documents, and ready-made customizable templates school district communicators can use.

"Even with no confirmed cases in our district, preparation is critical," said Rebecca Fabiano, communications specialist for Hudsonville (Michigan) Public Schools, a district that has prepared and deployed a Coronavirus Update Center.

"Getting out in front of potentially disruptive news and events goes a long way in stemming the potential flood of inquiries and conjecture that may arise from parents and their entire school community," said Campus Suite CEO Steve Williams.

Schools have been identified by the health experts as one of the primary areas of public congregation where viruses can readily spread. As administrators consider the range of planning options from event cancellations/school closures to remote education/in-home learning, the need for sharing updates is magnified. In some cases, districts are re-examining school policies as part of their preparation for a potential disruption.

"It's a way for districts to show their leadership is out in front of this or any other event where risk communication is required," said Williams. "Parents and staff especially want to hear from the superintendent what's going on and what the plans and contingencies are."

Campus Suite is not new to public service initiatives for school districts. The company created and maintains the School Website Accessibility Education Center three years ago to help equip schools with the knowledge and tools to eliminate website barriers for people with disabilities.

Campus Suite is a Cincinnati-based technology company specializing in website hosting, design and digital communications for schools. It helps school administrators solve the everyday communications challenges they face, and helps them improve engagement and educational outcomes by sharing knowledge and web communication tools.

CONTACT: Jay C. Cooper, [email protected], 800.301.9285

SOURCE Campus Suite