Ed Rich is Director of Communications for the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District.

"Effective communication is crucial to any organization, and schools are no different. With a comprehensive communications plan, I'm able to promote MRH to parents and the community, connect with current students, attract future ones, and successfully engage staff members. We value respectful dialogue and deliberation. This includes promoting compassion, diversity, and social justice.

I can be reached 24/7 at 314-446-1707 (office) 314-568-1237 (mobile) or ed.rich@mrhschools.net"

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District works with community groups and organizations that sponsor activities of an educational/enrichment nature for students and staff by distributing materials to students and staff in accordance with Board of Education policies. For ecological reasons, the MRH School District will avoid distribution of physical flyers and use electronic distribution methods instead.

Distribution procedures:

• All flyers must be submitted and approved in advance (generally completed within one business day). Requests may be emailed to the Communications Department or delivered to the Central Office at 2531 S. Big Bend, Maplewood, MO 63143.
• Once approved, flyers can be distributed by the school or by grade level via MRH technology.
• All flyers that are not generated by the MRH School District (or any of its schools or PTOs) must include the following disclaimer: MRH School District does not endorse and is not responsible for any business, services, or event advertised in this flyer.

The MRH School District does not approve the distribution of materials that:

• Are deemed not suitable for children.
• Are obscene to minors.
• Are libelous.
• Are pervasively indecent or vulgar.
• Advertise any product or service not permitted to minors by law.
• Publicize or promote any particular religion or religious belief.
• Publicize or promote a particular political party, political organization, or political viewpoint.
• Constitute insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses other people (e.g., threats of violence, defamation of character or of a person's race, religion or ethnic origin).
• Present a clear and present likelihood that, either because of their content or their manner of distribution, they will cause a material and substantial disruption of the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the school or school activities or will cause the commission of unlawful acts or the violation of lawful school procedures.

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District strives to prioritize effective communication to ensure that all stakeholders are informed about the District's goals, initiatives and events. The District maintains multiple channels of electronic communication to supplement in-person engagement opportunities. While the District can't utilize every social media or internet platform that our stakeholders may use, we will be selective - yet consistent - with our established platforms such that all stakeholders know where to turn to gain information, ask questions and provide feedback.

The MRH Communications Preferred Methods Chart is intended to provide a quick reference to which methods of communication the District will utilize based on the nature of communication. 

Examples: 

• Emergency/Safety Alerts are issued for any scenario which creates a safety concern (i.e. police or fire activity, environmental hazard) or involves a significant disruption to normal school operations (i.e. school bus breakdown/accident, electronic/mechanical systems failures within school buildings).
• School Closing Alerts are issued when extreme weather poses a threat.
• Event Promotion notices include reminders of Board of Education meetings, Open House events, engagement opportunities with District personnel, job fairs, celebrations, etc.
• General Information notices are reserved for matters considered non-urgent.
• Campaigns include educational information for District voters regarding tax/bond issues.

All stakeholders are encouraged to contact the MRH Communications Department with questions or concerns. 

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District recognizes the important role the media plays in reporting news and information about its educational programs, services, students, and employees. The District’s Communications Department assists the media by providing information about the District and is committed to working with the media and making every effort to work within their deadlines. All requests to interview, film, or photograph District employees, students, or board of education members should be made to the Communications Department

Media who want to film, photograph, or interview MRH staff, students, or board members are asked to make a request through the Communications Department. The Communications Department will provide a representative who can best address the topic of the interview. Media interviews or photographs with students require parental consent. When requests for student interviews are granted, the interview is conducted at a District-designated site to minimize the loss of instructional time and disruption to the learning environment. When filming (live or taped), taking a still photograph, or conducting interviews while in the school district, a representative from the Communications Department (or their designee) will accompany media at all times to minimize disruption at the school and to assist with any additional requests. As a safety and security measure, the media, like all visitors to MRH’s buildings, are asked to sign in and obtain a visitor's pass. Passes are available in the front office of each of the District’s schools.

It is the District’s practice to work as cooperatively as possible to supply timely information to the media on the emergency and its impact on students, teachers, or staff members, provided the release of information does not jeopardize the emergency response activities, or conflict with federal privacy laws, the well-being of our students or employees, or the concerns of their families. During an emergency, media will not be allowed inside the affected school building(s). Media will be assigned to a designated external area at the site of the emergency to allow full access to the site by emergency response teams.

During an emergency, all media calls are referred to the Communications Department to allow the crisis response team at the site to give full attention to relief efforts. The District will work as quickly as possible to provide accurate information to the media through a spokesperson, written releases, or news briefings.