Communications

FAQ

• You no longer need to sign up for class, grade, building, or district emails. These are automatically assigned each fall. We build groups for clubs, band/orchestra/choir, and athletic teams each semester, season, or year. Request to be added or removed from those lists by using the pop-up tab at the bottom of this page or clicking the email, text, and button at dexterschools.org/letstalk

• The email you used to create your PowerSchool parent account might not be the same one you gave us when you registered your student, and we can't see your personal PowerSchool account. Contact your building secretary to update your email and to ensure you didn't accidentally block us. 

• We can remove you from custom groups (band, drama, sports, etc.) but classes, grades, buildings, and district news are automatically sent to all families. If you use the unsubscribe button on any Blackboard email, it removes you from all district emails. We can undo this if you reconsider, just contact your school office. 
• Texts are all or nothing. Please put our text ID - 606-80 in your phone as a contact with the name "Dexter Schools" so you will not mistake our messages for spam. We try to use this method judiciously - for urgent messages like building closures or bus delays. 
• Automated phone calls are all or nothing. If you unsubscribe from automated District phone messages, we will override that preference only in the event of an emergency, e.g., a snow day closure or a building issue. 

• We want to communicate well. If you have feedback about the type and quantity of info you receive from us, we would love to hear it. Please send us a message directly or use Let's Talk, which can be accessed by clicking on the speech bubble at the top right corner of every web page. 

Twice a month, as a service to district families, the district sends an email including flyers from local non-profit organizations. This email goes to all currently enrolled families. 

Guidelines

• Information must be from local non-profit community groups. Information from a private business or a private individual will not be distributed.
• Contact information must be contained in each announcement.
• Events need to be of interest to local families; flyers for classes or programs cannot compete with classes or programs offered by Dexter Community Schools. No flyers/events can conflict with Dexter Community Schools Board Policies. 
• The following statement will need to appear on all materials that will be distributed or displayed: "The Board of Education recognizes that there are times when non-profit community organizations offer programs or services that might benefit Dexter students and/or their families. The Board further recognizes that when it opens the forum for distribution/display of materials from outside groups, Federal law guarantees all non-profit groups be given the same rights. The attached information is brought to you as a service of Dexter Community Schools. This service does not imply endorsement of its contents by the administration of the school, the Superintendent or the Board."
• The "local" designation refers to organized non-profit Dexter-based youth groups with at least 90% Dexter students, confined to children under the age of 19 and whose membership is open in regards to race, color, or creed. 
• "Non-profit" refers to official tax status.

Distribution

• Informational flyers will be compiled by the communications coordinator for distribution on or about the 15th and 30th days of each month. To ensure inclusion, groups must submit their materials for approval by the 10th and the 25th days of each month.
• The district will distribute the compiled information through electronic means to parents.
• Paper (Hard Copy) Distribution/Display Procedures: Effective Effective September, 2014, we no longer distribute or post hard copies of community flyers.

Submitting Events for Distribution

• Flyers should be "print ready" -- formatted to be legible, complete, and attractive. 
• The event itself should be the primary focus of the flyer. 
• Acceptable formats: PDF files, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, JPG
• The board disclaimer (see above) must be on every flyer. 
• File size should not exceed 1 MB
• Email flyers to Hope Vestergaard no later than the 10th or 25th days of the month for the mailings on the 15th and last day of each month. 

If you have any questions after reading this page, feel free to contact our office for clarification. 734-424-4100 ext. 4102

During the school year, the district sends a summary of in-district school events to all enrolled families weekly. This list is compiled using school calendars and the facility calendar. Events that are on either of these calendars do not need to be submitted. If you have other school-sponsored events (including school group fundraisers) that you would like considered for inclusion, please send the following information to Hope Vestergaard:

• Event Title
• Location
• Date and time
• Sponsoring group

Stay in the loop! 

One of the helpful features of our new website design is the ability to subscribe to News updates and Calendar alerts. To do so, click on the alerts  button at the top of any Calendar or News page. The first time you do this, you will be prompted to create an account. The pop-up window will walk you through the steps. To change your subscription preferences at any time, click on the alerts button and a pop-up window will prompt you to log in and manage your subscriptions. 

If you don't want to receive updates for every event on a calendar, but would like to follow single events, click on the alert button next to the calendar item. You will be notified of the event itself in the window you choose (say, 18 hours before an event) and you will also be notified of any event edits or additions. 

We love to highlight Dexter student accomplishments!

If your school program, athletic team, or school-sponsored group has an event or accomplishment of interest to local media, we would be happy to consider putting out an official district press release. Please review the guidelines for submitting this material to us: 

• Some groups submit written press releases, others share the details with us and we write them. We reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity and brevity.
• All press releases must include contact information for the person who knows the most about the event.
• In no case should the district's letterhead or logo be used on a press release that does not originate from a school office, or which has not been submitted to the communications office for review.

Photo Considerations

When we send out event/achievement press releases, our media contacts often inquire if there are photos available to include. For efficiency's sake, you can save time by submitting good quality photos with your press release. Please note:

• Photos should be good quality: in focus with good exposure and interesting content. 
• Please submit names of those pictured in this format: [photo name} Left to Right: Name, Name, Name. Include titles of group leaders if appropriate.
• By submitting photos with a press release, you are assuring the district that you have obtained parental permission of any minors pictured. 
• Please indicate the name of the photographer. If the photographer does not wish to be identified, indicate that by saying, "Photo courtesy of [Group Name]." 

Dread Strong

Dexter Community Schools is committed to responsible communication with the public through a variety of social media platforms. Only the following constitute the official social media accounts of Dexter Community Schools:  

• Dread Strong on Facebook
• Dexter Community Education on Facebook
• Dexter Food and Nutrition on Facebook
• Wylie Elementary on Facebook
• Dexter Food and Nutrition on Instagram
• Dexter High School on Instagram

All others that purport to be affiliated or associated with Dexter Community Schools are not official sites or accounts of the school district. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about Dexter Community Schools, please rely on our website: dexterschools.org. For questions, comments, and concerns, please use the Let’s Talk feature.

Dread Strong is an unofficial DCS bulletin board to share news of interest to current families and alumni. To submit items for posting on the Dread Strong Facebook page, please send them to Dread Strong via private Facebook message or post them directly on the page. The page managers will contact you if they need further info. Keep in mind that this is not a forum that is monitored for questions. 

DCS Staff often photograph or film students during school activities for educational purposes. DCS may use these photographs or film in materials used in educational presentations or promotional materials for the district. Parents may opt out of (or permit) some or all of these uses at student registration when they complete the Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Agreement. At other times of the year, parents may amend their preferences by completing the Media Images Opt-In, Opt-Out Form and returning it to each child's school office. 

The district's electronic sign in front of Creekside school is reserved to highlight and/or publicize school events and student achievements. Content is generally drawn from the weekly district events list. If you are a member of a school program that has an event you want to be considered for display on the electronic sign, please contact Hope Vestergaard at least one week prior to the event date. 

Please note that inclusion of events depends on space and the number of people affected. For example, music night for three classes might not be included, but a whole-grade or whole building event would.