As August begins and the school year kicks off, we’re reminded of the many transitions this season brings—welcoming new staff, adjusting to busier schedules, and embracing fresh opportunities. We’re especially grateful for the chance to support our clients in their work, including many school districts heading into a new school year.

As our Partners, Phil Herman and Tom Speaks, often say, “Appreciation doesn’t happen by accident.” It’s through the dedication of our clients that we’re able to fulfill our mission of positively impacting lives. For that, we are deeply grateful. We look forward to the second half of the year, continuing to uplift and support the vital work you do.

In the spirit of appreciation, Phil and Tom have drawn on their expertise to develop a framework for fostering gratitude in both personal and professional settings. This framework, called Appreciology, launches this month, and we’re excited to share it with you as we work together to spread appreciation far and wide.

Earlier this month, Tom, Phil, and Director of Strategic Services Doreen Osmun traveled to Illinois to present Appreciology at Barrington 220 School District’s Executive Council Retreat. Through impactful conversations and interactive activities, we showcased how recognition can strengthen teams and relationships.

Interested in bringing Appreciology to your organization?

It’s one of the most common challenges we hear from school and public organization leaders: “We’re doing great work, but no one seems to know about it.”

Sound familiar?

Whether you’re trying to boost enrollment, build trust with your community, or simply keep your team informed, effective communication doesn’t just happen. It takes intention. That’s where a strategic communication plan comes in.

In this blog, we’ll break down what a communication plan is, why it matters, and how you can create one that helps your organization show up clearly, consistently, and confidently. You’ll walk away with practical steps, tips from the field, and a few helpful tools to get you started—including our Communications Audit Guide, which is a great companion to this process.