Near West End Schools Systems Join Twitter. Will They Actually Use it?

I can’t wait 2 get school closings via @henricoschools & @RPS_Schools on Twitter this winter when it snows! It really is the 21st century!

This was my Tweet a few minutes ago! I think you’ll agree, it is about time that the local school systems joined Twitter. Perhaps I’m being too optimistic to actually hope that the schools will use Twitter in this way. Henrico has yet to post a Tweet (this would have been the first thing I would do BEFORE sending out the press release.) Richmond Public schools hasn’t posted since August (perhaps they are too busy with their back to school work) and have yet to engage their audience in any meaningful way.

Perhaps, if they get a really nice #FollowFriday welcome and lots of followers, they will learn 1. that people actually use Twitter and want to get information this way 2. that they need to follow people back to hear what their constituents are saying 3. that although using Twitter well takes time, it is well worth the effort.  4. One of the worst things you can do is use Twitter simply for announcements.  If you “get” Twitter you know it is very limited in its service in this capacity and seems hardly worth anything. The magic happens when you listen, reach out to your audience, and engage!

So, Near West End school parents, start to follow your public school system. Ask them questions on Twitter. Force them to interact with you. Social Media is the wave of the future, let the schools know that parents do want to connect in this way. Or, we can just cross our fingers and hope we get the school closing announcements here before we get them on T.V.