Clear, Safe and Consistent Communication
Strong communication between our schools and families is an important part of supporting every student.
Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, families may notice greater consistency in the communication tools staff use to connect with students and parents. School-related communication should take place through District-approved platforms that support appropriate privacy, security, transparency and record retention.
Why Is the District Doing This?
Wisconsin Act 89 requires public school districts to establish expectations for appropriate communication between school employees or volunteers and students, both during and outside of school hours.
The law also includes annual training requirements for school employees related to identifying, preventing and reporting grooming behaviors and professional boundary violations.
The School District of Holmen's communication expectations are designed to help protect students, support appropriate professional boundaries, and ensure school-related communication is safe, transparent and consistent.
What Families Need to Know
- School-related communication between staff, students and families should occur through a District-approved communication platform.
- Staff members should not use personal text messaging, personal email accounts, personal social media messaging or other private messaging applications for school-related communication.
- If you contact a staff member through a personal phone number or personal social media account, they may respond to you through a different, District-approved platform.
- These expectations apply to teachers, coaches, advisors, administrators and other staff members when communicating as part of their District role.
How Will Schools Communicate With Families?
The communication platform used may vary depending on your child's school, classroom, activity or the type of information being shared.
District-approved communication tools may include:
- District Google Email
- ClassDojo
- Canvas
- Infinite Campus
- Pathwise
- SportsYou
- Bound
- Other platforms specifically authorized by the School District of Holmen
Your child's school, teacher, coach or advisor will let you know which platform should be used for their specific communication.
School District of Holmen Communication Guide
The guide below provides an overview of the District's one-way and two-way communication platforms and how each may be used.
Communication platforms may serve different purposes depending on the type of information being shared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question below to view the answer.
1. What is the difference between one-way and two-way communication?
One-way communication is generally used by the District or schools to share information with families. Examples include District and building eBlasts, emergency text messages, official social media posts and other informational updates. These methods are primarily intended to distribute information and may not accept or monitor replies.
Two-way communication allows families, students and staff to communicate back and forth. Depending on the purpose, these platforms include ClassDojo, Canvas, District Google Email, Pathwise, SportsYou and Bound. Families should use the appropriate two-way platform when they need to communicate directly with a staff member.
2. Can I text a teacher, coach or other staff member on their personal phone?
Families should use the District-approved communication method provided by the staff member or school. If you send a school-related message to a staff member's personal phone, the staff member will move the conversation to District email, ClassDojo, Canvas, SportsYou, Bound or another approved platform.
3. I want to text my student's teacher about school, but we are friends. Can I do this?
No. If the communication is related to your student or another school-related matter, the staff member must use a District-approved communication platform, even if you have a personal friendship or already communicate by text for non-school reasons.
You may continue communicating personally as friends. However, conversations about your student's education, classroom, behavior, schedule, school activities or other school-related matters should move to an approved platform such as District email, ClassDojo, Canvas or another platform approved for that purpose.
The key distinction is the purpose of the communication—not the personal relationship between the family and staff member.
4. Why can't staff simply text me back?
District-approved communication platforms provide greater consistency, privacy, security, transparency and appropriate record retention. They also help maintain clear professional communication expectations for staff, students and families.
5. Can I still email my child's teacher?
Yes. District Google Email is an approved communication method. Families may continue communicating with staff through their District email accounts.
6. Can I message a teacher or coach through Facebook, Instagram or another social media platform?
Social media should not be used for private school-related communication between staff and families. If you send a private message regarding a school matter, the staff member will direct you to an approved communication platform to continue the conversation.
7. Can athletic teams, activities and clubs still use social media?
Yes. Social media pages may still be used to publicly promote programs, share photos, recognize accomplishments, post scores and highlight upcoming events.
However, direct communication with students or families regarding practices, schedule changes or other team information should occur through an approved communication platform such as SportsYou or Bound.
8. Can families and staff still follow each other or be friends on social media?
Yes. These expectations do not prohibit families and staff members from being connected on social media. However, staff members may not use their personal social media accounts to conduct school-related communication with students or families. School-related direct communication should take place through a District-approved communication method.
9. What if I don't know which platform I should use?
Contact your child's school office or staff member through their District email account. They can direct you to the appropriate communication platform.
10. What is Wisconsin Act 89?
Wisconsin Act 89 requires school districts to establish policies addressing appropriate communication between school employees or volunteers and students, including communication that occurs both during and outside of school hours.
Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, school employees must also receive annual training related to identifying, preventing and reporting grooming behaviors and professional boundary violations.
Have a Question?
If you have questions about school-to-home communication or are unsure which communication platform to use, please contact your child's school or the District Communications Office.
Contact District Communications
Email: sdhdistrict@holmen.k12.wi.us
