When Passaic Public Schools set out to improve family communication, our goal wasn’t to add another tool. It was to simplify—and build continued trust.

In a district serving nearly 12,000 students across 16 schools, communication was not streamlined for families. Each school used its own system, and families were left juggling multiple apps and messages to stay informed. We needed something simple enough to bring everyone together—teachers, families, and school leaders—in one connected community.

Listening before leading

We began by listening to teachers, families, and administrators. Their feedback was clear: they wanted communication that felt seamless, familiar, and trustworthy.

Many teachers, especially in the early grades, had relied on a platform they loved for sharing updates and photos. When we transitioned to a different system, families immediately noticed. “We got so many calls from parents saying, ‘What happened to the pictures? What happened to the updates?’ They missed that connection.”

Teachers felt it too. What had once been simple and personal now felt transactional. It quickly became clear: families didn’t just want information—they wanted to feel included.

A midyear leap

That insight prompted a bold decision: a midyear rollout of a unified communication system. Anyone in K–12 knows changing platforms midyear isn’t easy, but we believed the benefits far outweighed the risk.

We rolled out communication in tiers, starting with principals and school leaders, then moving to teachers with clear next steps. Live professional development sessions, short how-to videos, and building-based champions helped make the transition smooth.

Teachers didn’t have to roster their own classes or chase down parent info. It was all there from day one. “It was one less thing on their plate and it just worked.”

By the end of the year, the results were clear. Teachers embraced the platform. Families connected and communities that had felt hard to reach were now engaged.

Data that builds momentum

Today, over 90% of our families are connected through a single platform. Our district dashboard shows engagement rates by school, and that visibility has sparked some friendly competition. Once schools saw their numbers side by side, they wanted to improve.

Parent liaisons can now identify families who aren’t yet connected and reach out directly—sometimes by phone, sometimes in their home language. It’s no longer about blanket reminders. It’s about relationship-building, one family at a time.

Beyond the classroom

In Passaic, communication supports more than just academics. Schools use the platform to share scholarship workshops, athletic events, concerts, and performances. “These are the moments that bring our community together. It’s not just communication—it’s culture.”

District oversight has also become more meaningful. From my office, I can scroll through posts and see what’s happening in classrooms across the district. In just a few minutes, I get a clear picture—and that helps us celebrate great ideas and share them more widely.

Safety, trust, and simplicity

As we streamlined tools, we paid close attention to data privacy. During the pandemic, many districts adopted free tools without fully understanding how data was being used. Our approach is now far more strategic. Our EdTech, data, and IT teams carefully review policies line by line before any platform is approved.

That’s one reason we felt confident adopting ClassDojo for Districts. The team was transparent, and our board attorney reviewed the contract in full. In a world where “free” can be a red flag, it gave us peace of mind to know exactly how our data was being handled.

The ROI of trust

Cost savings were a welcome bonus—our previous system required a paid license—but they weren’t the reason we made the switch. “We weren’t looking for a free solution—we were looking for a good solution.”

The real return has been in relationships. Because setup is seamless—teacher rosters auto-load, and families connect instantly—there’s less frustration and more trust. And when it just works, people use it.

Looking ahead

As we plan for 2026, our focus is on deepening connections. We’re expanding beyond classrooms to include athletics, the arts, and parent workshops. We’re also exploring communication data to help support attendance and engagement goals.

The takeaway for other districts is simple: unified communication isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about equity. When every family—regardless of language or schedule—can access the same information in real time, it strengthens the entire community.

In Passaic, communication is no longer a task to complete. It’s the foundation for trust, belonging, and student success.

About the author

Dr. Joanna Antoniou serves as Supervisor of Educational Technology for Passaic Public Schools in New Jersey.