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For families, a new school year comes with plenty of unknowns and nothing feels more unknown than a new leader at the helm. Whether it’s a principal stepping into their first school or a seasoned administrator moving to a new building, the way you communicate their arrival sets the tone for the year ahead. Here’s how to make sure that introduction builds trust, connection, and momentum before the first bell rings... plus how one Kentucky middle school principal used this approach to hit the ground running. start before the start Don’t wait until the first assembly or newsletter to introduce a new leader. Use the weeks before the school year to share a short, personable welcome video on your school’s social channels and website. Keep it simple: a quick introduction, a little personal background, and an invitation for families to connect. When Bernheim Middle School in Bullitt County welcomed new principal Chase Goff , they released a video before back-to-school night. Chase introduced himself, shared what he’d learned in his first weeks on campus, and spoke directly to students and families: “I will listen — always. We will learn together. And everyone will lead. To be the school we aspire to takes all of us working together.” That personal commitment helped families connect with him before they even shook his hand. let their personality lead Families want to know credentials, but they connect with personality. In his video, Chase mixed his professional observations with personal stories (like remembering his first Renaissance Conference as a student) and excitement for beloved school traditions like Bruin Bashes and Ren Rallies. This blend of heart and history told the community, I’m here to honor what matters to you, and I’m excited to be part of it. show them in action Pair the introduction with candid media (event photos, walk-through clips, or a short “meet the team” video). Bernheim followed Chase’s intro with a leadership team welcome video, featuring assistant principals and staff speaking directly to students about culture, expectations, and excitement for the year ahead. That second video showed Chase not just as a face on a flyer, but as an active part of a team that cares about students. pay attention to the small details Sometimes the most impactful gestures aren’t the flashiest. Before the year began, Chase made sure every staff member got an updated professional headshot, something they hadn’t had in several years. It was a small but meaningful move that showed he was listening to staff requests and wanted them represented well. Those details build credibility faster than any speech can. keep the conversation going An introduction isn’t a one-and-done. Plan for follow-up touches in the first 90 days (quick video updates, social spotlights, or “day in the life” posts). By starting strong with a warm, detailed introduction and following it up with consistent, approachable communication, new leaders can set a tone of trust, enthusiasm, and partnership that lasts all year long. The takeaway: A well-crafted introduction isn’t just about making a leader known... it’s about making them felt . When your community sees and hears their leader before day one, they walk into that first day feeling like they already belong. video link: https://youtu.be/tBy-5vSqHZs

This week in Fleming County, we stepped into a high school hallway and found something quietly beautiful: a prayer tree where students are invited to share prayers of peace with one another. In a world that often feels hurried and heavy, this gentle invitation felt like a deep breath. A reminder that peace is not passive. It’s something we plant, nurture, and offer to each other and to the communities we call home. what abundance looks like in education At Alchemy Collaborative, we believe peace and hope can grow in even the most unexpected places. This is at the core of what we call abundance : the belief that resources, encouragement, and hope aren’t meant to be hoarded. They’re meant to overflow. That’s why one of our core values is bountiful harvesting. In our work with schools, that means helping leaders create systems and spaces where positive culture grows, where stories are shared, and where every student and staff member feels seen. A “prayer tree” in a public school hallway is a living example of that. It’s a simple, visible way for a community to practice abundance: planting seeds of encouragement, sharing hope, and reminding one another of their worth. from hallways to hearts: why we built abundance by ac This is also the heartbeat behind Abundance by AC : our collection of devotionals, themed resources, and encouragement for educators and faith-driven leaders. We know the challenges of school leadership and service can be heavy. Abundance by AC exists to help leaders stay grounded in purpose and renewed in spirit, so they can keep planting seeds of peace and hope right where they are. planting peace wherever you are Whether it’s a tree in a hallway, a kind word in a meeting, or a resource shared with a fellow leader, peace grows when we choose to plant it. Thank you, Fleming County, for the pleasant surprise and for the quiet ways you’re creating space for hope. You’ve reminded us (and everyone who reads this) that abundance can take root anywhere if we’re willing to plant it.  Read more about creating abundance in your own school or leadership journey at Abundance by AC .

What does it take to build a school brand that sticks? Spoiler, it’s not just slapping a logo on a wall (though that helps). At Bluegrass Middle School, we’ve seen how intentional branding creates clarity, pride, and consistency for students, staff, and families. In this post, we’re sharing how we partnered with Bluegrass to build a strong brand foundation and bring it to life through everyday touchpoints. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually implement branding in a school, this one’s for you. what does “foundational branding” mean? Before we ever talk about headshots or signage, we start with strategy. Foundational branding is all about defining a school’s visual identity and making sure the basics are in place. For Bluegrass, that meant: finalizing the logo and visual assets creating a design lab to store and share files aligning brand visuals with the school’s mission and culture Once that foundation was set, every decision that followed was easier and more effective. Strong school branding starts with a shared foundation. Without it, nothing sticks. how do you keep branding consistent across a school? We love a good design lab . Think of it as the digital headquarters for all things branded: logos, templates, signage files, social graphics, and more. When staff need a flyer, a badge, or an email signature, it’s all right there. Bluegrass uses their design lab to keep things consistent and accessible. No more outdated logos or mismatched fonts. everyone’s on the same page, literally. what kinds of branding projects actually make an impact? Once the foundation is solid, the fun begins. Through Bluegrass’s alchemy access hours, we’ve supported a range of creative projects like: branding for facilities and physical spaces updated email signatures, refreshed annually branded headshot backdrops professional headshots for staff custom assets for events and campaigns The principal often texts us with an idea, and we make it happen. It’s fast, collaborative, and always on-brand. why does this partnership model work? Because it’s personal. We’ve built a strong relationship with the leadership at Bluegrass, and that trust leads to quick turnarounds, creative problem solving, and consistent results. We’re not just a vendor. We’re a team they can text anytime, and we’ll figure it out. That kind of partnership helps branding feel like a culture, not just a to-do list. want your school branding to work like this? If you’re dreaming of a design lab, a consistent brand, and a creative team that actually gets schools, we’d love to help. Let’s talk about branding for your school.

Uncertainty in schools isn’t going anywhere, but silence or sterile updates can make confusion grow faster than a kindergarten line in the hallway. At Alchemy, we believe moments of change are the perfect chance to build trust, not lose it. Inspired by The Learning Accelerator’s piece on scaling through storytelling, we’re here to show you how clear, human-centered stories can bring families and staff closer... even when plans shift overnight. why your community needs more than bullet points Families don’t just want to know what is changing. They want to know why it matters for their kids. Teachers want to see themselves reflected in the story. And everyone needs communication that feels like it came from a neighbor, not a PR robot. At Alchemy, we help district leaders: ✔️ Lead with heart by putting students and staff at the center of every message ✔️ Translate chaos into clarity so updates build confidence instead of confusion ✔️ Build storytelling systems because trust comes from consistent, on-brand communication... not one-off announcements stories are powerful, but systems make them sustainable We’ve seen too many schools pour energy into one great story, then let it fade into the ether. Our approach helps you create repeatable systems so your stories keep flowing, your brand stays strong, and your community feels seen even when times are tough. want to get started? Ready to build a storytelling system your district can count on?  Schedule a discovery call with Team Alchemy today.

Last week, something powerful happened in Fleming County. We launched a logo. But that moment was about so much more than a mark. It was the start of a new partnership. One built on trust, purpose, and the shared belief that communication should reflect the heart of a district, not just the headlines. a new story begins Fleming County Schools has been quietly, and boldly, reimagining what education looks like in rural Kentucky. Their work around vibrant learning, locally defined accountability, and real-world readiness has gained statewide attention for good reason. They’re not waiting on permission to do what’s right for students. They’re building it, day by day, story by story. And on July 29, we had the honor of helping them put a visible frame around that work. The new Fleming County logo doesn’t just represent a district. It represents a journey : one of progress, purpose, and the many paths students take as they grow. As we shared during the launch: “This isn’t a peak. It’s a path. A reminder that learning here is not linear or static, but always unfolding.” From the historic bridges woven into the “F” to the upward curve at its center, the logo reflects the values that guide this district’s work: connection, momentum, and collective belief in what's possible. more than design. it’s direction. We didn’t just design a logo. We introduced a full visual identity system, from t-shirts and signage to branded templates and a new Design Lab portal where staff can access tools to communicate with clarity. But even more importantly, we began building the system that helps those messages stay aligned and trusted long after launch day. Because in Fleming, the work is bigger than branding. It’s about reframing accountability, from test scores to student stories. It’s about showing, not just saying, what matters most. As we shared in our session: “Your community’s trust isn’t built in spreadsheets. It’s built in the stories you choose to tell.” what’s next We’re just getting started. Over the next few months, we’ll be walking alongside Fleming County Schools to help: Equip school leaders with ready-to-use tools that reflect the new brand Create systems for collecting and sharing story evidence tied to their Bridge Performance Indicators Build visual and verbal trust across schools, students, families, and the broader community Fleming’s journey is a bold one and we’re grateful to play a part in helping shape how it’s seen. to the leaders in fleming: Thank you for trusting us with your story. Thank you for showing what it looks like to lead with belief , not just metrics. And thank you for reminding us all that branding isn’t about the sparkle. It’s about the signal and you’ve made it clear. We can’t wait to see where the path leads next. 🛍️ PS : If you’re ready to rep the new look, the Fleming Spirit Shop is open and shipping is free with code FCSFreeShipping ! 📎 Fleming Spirit Shop want something new? If you’re ready to change up your look, we're ready when you are. Let’s create something unforgettable together. Schedule your Foundation Call

Why communication strategy matters more than ever in the era of local accountability and vibrant learning. Walk into any school and you’ll find a quiet hum of activity that never makes the newsletter: A teacher comforting a child after a tough morning. A principal jumping in for lunch duty. A parent dropping off cupcakes for the class next door. A student unlocking something new in themselves during a vibrant-learning experience. These are the everyday moments that shape a school’s identity. But without a system to capture, connect, and communicate them, they disappear. this is where marketing comes in. Not as a sales pitch. Not as self-promotion. But as a stewardship tool: one that aligns your values, your people, and your promise to the community. let’s clear something up: School leaders are starting to talk more about: Vibrant learning Community trust Local accountability But when communication systems don’t keep pace with that vision, the result is fragmentation. Your schools are doing the work but your people can’t see the story. And when stories go untold, momentum fades. you’ve seen this play out before: A new program launches, but families don’t understand what it is (or why it matters). A school earns a big achievement, but it never reaches the local paper or city council. A rebrand rolls out, but staff keep using outdated logos, mottos, or messaging. A board asks, “What are we doing about communication?” and no one has a clear answer. sound familiar? None of this is a failure of effort. It’s a gap in strategy. A gap that thoughtful marketing can fill if we redefine what it means in the context of public education. so what i s school marketing? Let’s ditch the corporate buzzwords and say it plain: Marketing in schools is the system that ensures your message doesn’t get lost. It’s how you: Show what learning really looks like Build clarity across your schools and staff Translate vision into community trust Make your Measures of Quality visible to families, not just policymakers It’s not fluff. It’s infrastructure. local accountability needs local messaging. If your district is embracing a new framework for accountability: one based on growth, relationships, and readiness, not just state test scores, then your community needs to be brought into that journey. They need: Clear language Real stories Visible evidence Trustworthy systems You can’t wait for the press to pick it up. You have to build the narrative from the inside out. And that means marketing. what district marketing should include: Defined Goals: What are we trying to communicate and to whom? Audience Mapping: What does each group (families, staff, board, community) need to hear and believe? On-Brand Assets: Do all schools have the visuals and templates to show up with confidence? Multi-Channel Systems: Are we relying on one flyer or layering social, email, print, and personal touchpoints? Feedback Loops: Are we tracking what’s working? Do we know what our community is actually hearing? Consistency: Can every principal tell your district’s story the same way? why this matters now As districts shift toward locally designed, community-centered frameworks, communication must mature alongside. You’re not just publishing test scores. You’re building a portrait of your district’s soul. And that deserves more than scattered posts and siloed announcements. It deserves a communication strategy that honors the complexity, and beauty, of your work. at alchemy collab, we believe: Local accountability needs local messaging. Vibrant learning deserves visible celebration. Trust is built through clarity, not volume. And your community is more likely to believe in your vision when they can see it. want this for your school or district? If you’re ready to move from reactive storytelling to intentional communication systems, we’d love to help. Let’s design a strategy that reflects what’s already true about your schools and makes it impossible to ignore. Schedule your Foundation Call or explore our district support services .

Every school year tells a new story. At East Hardin Middle School, that story starts with a hashtag. From #BeEast to #WeAreinBeastMode to this year’s #BruinsLeadtheWay, East Hardin launches each school year with a message that reflects their culture, goals, and energy. The hashtag becomes more than a slogan. It’s a rally cry for students, staff, and the larger school community. It shows up on t-shirts, social media, newsletters, and school signage. It becomes part of the way the year feels. But while the message evolves, the identity behind it never wavers. we waited on purpose. You’ve seen the hot takes. The feature recaps. The LinkedIn debates. At Alchemy, we chose to hold back, not because we missed the moment, but because we wanted to speak from reflection, not reaction. We’ve had time to analyze, to listen to district partners, and to think about what this really means for school systems in Kentucky and beyond. Here’s what we know: This is a communication moment, not just a tech one. Districts need infrastructure that helps them: Equip teachers with language and clarity, not just tools Communicate with families in ways that build trust, not fear Make room for student voice as AI evolves Tell the story of how innovation aligns with local values and learning goals This is the work we’re called to do. enter mosAic: a kentucky-grown model of AI done right While many are still catching up, one Kentucky district has been quietly leading from the front. The mosAIc initiative, led by Fleming County Schools and other district leaders in Kentucky, is a powerful example of AI integration grounded in opportunity, student voice, and community trust. It’s not just about what AI can do. It’s about how AI can amplify authentic learning and local accountability: if districts are intentional. mosAIc is: Student-centered (students create, reflect, and apply learning with AI) Transparent (teachers and families are engaged in the “why,” not just the “how”) Human-first (the tech serves people, not the other way around) We’re proud to be a storytelling and visibility partner in this work and we believe more districts should be watching Fleming closely. communication is tech infrastructure If your district is experimenting with AI or even just trying to explain the digital tools already in use, know this: You don’t have to be experts in every platform. But you do need systems that clarify, support, and align your message with your mission. From the way you onboard teachers, to the way you announce new tools, to the trust you build with your families: communication is the through line. At Alchemy, we help districts craft that through-line through: ⏳ Alchemy Access Hours ⏳ for hands-on strategy and support 🏗 The Foundation 🏗 for brand clarity that builds trust 💻 Design Lab and Gold Vault assets to make it all look and feel unified let’s be ready: together. AI is here to stay. But the way you lead through it is what your community will remember. Let’s build a communication strategy that keeps your district grounded, clear, and aligned, even as the tools evolve. Schedule a Discovery Call Explore Access Hours Read more about mosAIc