Communications and Media Policy
The Briarcrest Communications Department strives to provide up-to-date information to all students and parents in a timely manner. Parents are reminded and encouraged to use the school website to regularly access information, including calendar information and homework/tests on the teachers' web pages and onCampus.
For specifics on teacher/parent communication or coach/parent communication, please see the Briarcrest Parent handbook. Each school division has a handbook that has been specifically written and designed to answer questions and assist parents with information on school policies and divisional information that can be used on a daily basis.
The Communications Department receives a large volume of submissions and requests, particularly related to social media postings. The Communications Director reserves the right to refuse any content that does not adhere to school policies, does not meet quality standards (content and images), or otherwise does not advance the mission of the school. When possible, every effort should be made to communicate well in advance of events where photography or videography support will be required or desirable from the Communications Department. Given the number of requests received during the school year, the department cannot guarantee that this support will be available for all events.
Members of the media are required by school policy to provide advance notice of coverage of school events on the Briarcrest campus to the Communications Director and/or the appropriate department head (e.g.; principal, Athletics Director). Media must receive advance written approval to cover campus events or conduct interviews on campus. Media must also present proper credentials, with photo identification, upon entry to campus. Failure to provide notice, receive written consent, and/or provide acceptable credentials may result in revocation of rights to conduct business on campus.
GENERAL BRIARCREST COMMUNICATIONS
General school news is communicated via BCS social media channels, the school website, mailings and communication from student to home. Selected information for younger students is sent home in the BCS Wednesday runner (preschool, elementary and middle school only) weekly. To communicate information to the school community, please follow these steps:
Administrative approval of events/programs: Please coordinate with and obtain approval for any event or program from the appropriate administrator and/or the Communications Director.
Parent/Teacher Fellowship: If the communication is related to the PTF, please gain approval from the PTF President, school Principal and Communications Director.
Website and Social Media: Please contact Chad Gilbert, Director of Communications, if you wish to submit an item for consideration on our social media channels or website. Please note that the website and social media submissions are subject to administrative approval and may be edited for clarity and grammatical accuracy. The Communications Director reserves the final right of refusal for any digital submissions.
Other communications vehicles: contact Chad Gilbert (901-765-4657 or cbgilbert@briarcrest.com) for information about other communications vehicles such as: The Leader, newsletters and school mailings.
COMMUNICATION OF NON-BRIARCREST RELATED INFORMATION:
Requests to distribute information from outside school events will be considered on an individual basis. We desire to pass along information that advances our school's mission. We generally will not include material advertising for-profit events and businesses.
APPROVAL OF SCHOOL-RELATED COMMUNICATION AND LOGO USE:
Items incorporating the school name and/or school logo or communicating school-related information must be approved by the Communications Office before production. This includes (but is not limited to) letters, flyers, notices, publications, T-shirts, spirit items sold for fundraising, Saint Shop merchandise and anything created by coaches, faculty, staff, parents or students with the Briarcrest name or academic or athletic logo for approval. All BCS t-shirts and clothing items that have a logo or the school name or mascot name printed on them must be created by the Communications department for re-sale. Briarcrest's name and logos are registered trademarks, and the school reserves exclusive rights for grant of usage. Please call Chad Gilbert at (901) 765-4657 or email to cbgilbert@briarcrest.com for more information.
NEWSPAPER AND BCS WEBSITE STORY SUBMISSIONS
Briarcrest Student Publicity: If you have a story or photo about a student you would like to be recognized, please send it to us! We are happy to highlight them on our website and/or submit stories to our local newspapers.
Please follow these simple guidelines when you have a photo or story for press submission:
First coordinate with the Communications Director when you have a press submission or story idea. We welcome your help, but we gratefully ask that you let us do the actual submission. You may email your photo or story to: Chad Gilbert at cbgilbert@briarcrest.com.
Please send high-resolution photos – these will reproduce clearer in printed publications.
Please include a description of the student or event, answering the “Who, What, Where, When and Why” questions. Also include the ZIP code of the student's or students' home in the description. We have all of the contacts to our local newspapers and are happy to take care of the necessary terminology and details.
BRIARCREST LOGO USAGE
Using the BCS Logo: Contact the Communications Office about your project to gain approval for logo usage. The Director of Communications must be consulted for proper wording, titles, logo usage and correct Pantone colors before publication.
- Check with your vendor to determine what file format is needed. (JPG, EPS, TIF vector art)
- The Communications Office will email the desired logo directly to the vendor.