Communications

Sara Blair
Director of Communications
651-403-7008 | sara.blair@isd197.org

Angela Fuentes
Communications Specialist
651-403-7022 | angela.fuentes@isd197.org

MEDIA REQUESTS

School District 197 welcomes requests from media outlets. Journalists and media companies who seek information for stories or wish to interview staff should begin by contacting Sara Blair, Director of Communications.

Serving as a liaison between the district and the community.

The Communications Department provides strategic input in decision-making and communicating decisions of the administration and School Board. The department is responsible for developing and assisting with communication for both internal and external audiences, including community, government and media relations; crisis communication and mass notification; website and social media; news releases, newsletters and marketing materials; advertising sponsorship; brand standards and requests for information.

What We Do

community update newsletter

District Dispatch Newsletter

The District Dispatch is the official newsletter of School District 197 and is published in the fall, spring, and summer. The district newsletter is mailed to all School District 197 residents and families. View digital copies below.

Latest Edition of The District Dispatch

Spring 2025

Primavera 2025

COMMUNITY FLYER DISTRIBUTION

School District 197 wants families to know about valuable programs and resources available to students and their families in our community. To facilitate delivery of this information, approved community organizations can send their flyers home to families digitally through Peachjar. Paper flyers will no longer be distributed to our students and families.

Flyer Guidelines
Due to the number of requests we receive from businesses, organizations, and individuals, all flyers distributed to our students and their families must:

Be provided in English and Spanish
Be school news, district news, news from one of our city/county partners and their affiliated organizations, and/or news from local non-profit organizations that provide programs and services for our students and their families
Support the basic educational mission of the district, directly benefit the students, or be of intrinsic value to the students or their parents/guardians
Not imply School District 197's endorsement of any identified product and/or services
Not be lewd, obscene, libelous, or slanderous
Not incite students to commit unlawful acts, violate school rules, or disrupt the orderly operation of the schools
Not promote any particular political interest, candidate, party, or ballot measure, unless the candidates or advocates from all sides are provided the opportunity to present their views to the students during school hours or during scheduled events
Not discriminate against, attack, or denigrate any group on account of gender, race, age, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, or other unlawful consideration
Not promote the use or sale of materials or services that are illegal or inconsistent with school objectives, including, but not limited to, materials or advertisements for tobacco, intoxicants, and movies or products unsuitable for children

To request flyer approval, follow the steps below. Paper flyers from outside organizations will no longer be distributed.

Visit www.peachjar.com
Register as a Program Provider (account type)
Upload your flyer for approval
Learn more about Peachjar's Community Free Program here and reach out directly to Peachjar for approval at support@peachjar.com.

Your flyer will be automatically submitted to the School District 197 Communications Department for approval. Once approved, your flyer will be emailed to parents and posted on each school’s web flyerboard for your selected duration of time. Peachjar charges a fee for this service that is typically much less than the cost to copy and deliver paper flyers to each school. You will be able to track your organization's flyers via your Peachjar dashboard.

View District Peachjar Flyers Here

SOCIAL MEDIA

School District 197 uses Facebook and Instagram to keep families updated on news and announcements.

COMMUNITY CABLE CHANNELS

The District has a presence on two local cable channels:

Townsquare TV, Channel 20 - serving residents of Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and West St. Paul
Eagan Television (eTV), Channel 15 - serving residents of Eagan

Regular business meetings of the School Board are video recorded for playback on local cable and online streaming. Find more information about School Board Meetings.

Emergency Closings Due to Weather

The decision to close on days of inclement weather or in an emergency is always challenging, Student safety is always our primary concern, so we want to make sure parents and guardians are fully aware of our procedures.

All delays in school opening, early dismissal of school, or emergency school closings will be announced over the WCCO radio station (830 on the AM dial). Channel 4 (WCCO), Channel 5 (KSTP), Channel 9 (Fox 9/KMSP), and Channel 11 (KARE) will also be notified. The district will be listed as: West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area.
In the event of a delay in school opening or an emergency school closing, the media will be contacted by 5:30 a.m. When there is a delay in opening schools, the school starting time will always be delayed at least two (2) hours. However, we cannot control when the announcement will actually be broadcast.
Families will be alerted through the parent notification system and information will be posted on the district and school websites.
Students and parents should be sure to keep emergency contact information updated with their school office.

Protection + Privacy of Student Information

Student Directory Opt-Out Form (English)

Student Directory Opt-Out Form (Spanish)

Student Directory Purchase Request

There are circumstances under which school districts are required to release student data without parent/guardian consent. Here are three categories of information that may be shared unless a parent/guardian opts out:

Directory information: Directory information includes student’s name, date of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized teams, weight and height as a member of athletic teams, dates of enrollment, dates of graduation or withdrawal, grade levels completed, degrees and awards, pictures of students for school-approved communications.

Military Recruiter Access to Student Data: Minnesota law states that a secondary institution shall release to military recruiting officers the names, addresses, and home telephone numbers of students in grades 11-12. Parents/ guardians and eligible students (18 years or older) have the right to request their student’s data not be released to the military.

Use of Photos and Student Work: District officials may visit your child’s school to cover special events, and School District 197 may wish to use your child’s photographs, voices, or student work for promotional and educational reasons.

This includes school yearbooks, district/school newsletters, social media, etc.

Opting out of Releasing Student Information: If you would like to opt out regarding the use of your student’s public data for school district and/or media purposes, directory information, or military recruiter access, please complete the form below and do one of the following by October 1, 2024:

MAIL TO: District Office, Attn: Communications Department, 1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights, MN 55118
DROP OFF: Bring form to the District Office or give it to the main office at the student’s school by October 1, 2024
SCAN AND EMAIL: Scan and email it to district.communications@isd197.org

Please complete one form for each student. The request will remain in effect for the 2024-2025 school year or unless modified or rescinded at student’s school. If you have any questions, call 651-403-7008 or email district.communications@isd197.org.

In This Section