clear communication is the foundation of thriving schools

Kentucky’s schools are in a race against time and inflation. While costs climb, state SEEK funding (Support Education Excellence in Kentucky) continues to lag behind, leaving districts under-resourced and overburdened. That’s where the Back on Track reports come in. For the second year in a row, The Alchemy Collaborative partnered with the Kentucky Council for Better Education (CBE) to transform a complex dataset into clear, district-level stories. These reports are designed to help superintendents, finance officers, and advocates communicate the urgent need for fair and adequate funding and to do it with confidence, clarity, and visual impact. f rom data to drive Each year, CBE gathers detailed funding data for every public school district in Kentucky. That includes: SEEK base funding per student Add-ons for at-risk, exceptional, and LEP students Transportation funding Tier 1 equalization funding We worked closely with CBE to translate that data into custom reports for each district, along with a statewide summary highlighting just how far SEEK funding has fallen behind inflation since 2008. Spoiler alert: Kentucky is currently underfunding students by more than $2,100 per student . That’s equivalent to hundreds of millions of dollars in unmet need statewide. from reports to storytelling tools To support local advocacy efforts, CBE also offers an optional district-branded slide deck, designed by our team, featuring each district’s specific data and presenter notes to help leaders speak to stakeholders. But here’s the truth: Data alone doesn’t inspire action. A well-told story does. that’s where we come in. In addition to the materials we’ve developed through CBE, The Alchemy Collaborative works directly with districts to: Craft custom messaging and talking points Design one-pagers or infographics for board meetings Develop communications strategies around legislative or budget priorities Our goal? Help you tell the right story to the right audience, with the clarity and confidence it deserves. why it matters We believe good design is about more than looking polished; it’s about making important information accessible and actionable. In this case, that meant: Turning spreadsheets into storytelling tools Giving districts language they can use in budget meetings and public forums Supporting a collective call for change across Kentucky Because when every district is equipped to advocate, every student benefits. r eady to tell your story? If you’re a district leader looking to elevate your message, whether about funding, enrollment, facilities, or something else, we’re here to help. 💡 Let’s dig into your data and uncover the gold. 📩 Contact us to dream about what's possible.

kentucky districts are redesigning education for the ai era with local accountability, real skills, and clear communication to build trust and success.

coaches are more than game-day leaders In today’s schools, coaches are more than just sideline motivators—they’re powerful messengers of your district’s values, culture, and care. And with the recent passing of Senate Bill 181 , Kentucky districts are being called to rethink how every adult in the building communicates with students and families—including extracurricular leaders. This isn't just a compliance issue—it's a communication opportunity . the current challenge: inconsistent, unstructured communication If you're a district leader, this will probably sound familiar: Coaches are texting parents directly. Some teams are using GroupMe, others are on Remind. Calendars live in pockets, private apps, or Facebook groups. Parents ask, “Where do I even find the info?” Right now, extracurricular communication in many districts is chaotic at best and invisible at worst . Without a unified system, updates get missed, information is fragmented, and your district’s brand is diluted in every team huddle or missed bus pickup. what sb 181 really means for school communication Senate Bill 181 requires school districts across Kentucky to standardize how all personnel—coaches, club sponsors, volunteers—communicate with students and families. But let’s be clear: this law isn’t just about plugging in a new tool or checking a compliance box. It’s about stepping into a smarter, more connected approach to communication. And it’s a chance to: 🔐 Protect students through transparent, trackable communication 🧠 Empower coaches with clear systems that reduce guesswork 📢 Amplify your message across every corner of your district 🤝 Build trust with families by meeting them where they are 🧭 Align all messaging to your district’s values and vision from “random apps” to real strategy At The Alchemy Collaborative, we’ve helped districts make this exact shift. Here’s what a streamlined system can look like: Coaches use one platform to send updates and messages Calendars sync to phones so families never miss a change Notifications are instant , not scattered across apps Parents know exactly where to go —and who it's coming from This isn’t a “new app” solution. It’s a systems-first, people-centered approach to communication strategy. the culture shift: your coaches are your comms team When districts equip coaches with the right tools and training, the ripple effect is huge. Parents feel more informed and less frustrated. Students feel seen and supported . Coaches feel confident and clear on expectations. Your district’s brand gets lifted in every interaction—not lost. Think of it this way: families already trust their coaches. Let’s make sure the messages they send reflect your broader story. turn compliance into connection—here’s how we help At Alchemy, we partner with school districts to build clear, consistent communication systems that reflect your values, protect your people, and deepen family engagement. From strategy to implementation, we help you: Audit current communication channels Build unified workflows across buildings and teams Train coaches and sponsors with easy-to-follow processes Integrate communication into your district’s overall brand voice ready to make the shift? SB 181 isn’t a roadblock. it’s a runway. Let’s turn policy into purpose—and chaos into clarity. 📩 Contact us to schedule a free discovery call and start building a communication system that works for everyone in your district.

Discover how to align your district's message with your boldest work using Alchemy Collab’s free 5-question communication audit.

We love a good mascot moment. Nothing gets a community talking like deciding whether you’ll be the Tigers, the Titans, or the Fighting Narwhals (hey, we can dream). So when we saw that Carter County is letting the community vote on the mascot for their brand-new high school ( check out the full story here ), we couldn’t help but get excited. Not just because we love school pride (though we really do), but because this is the perfect reminder: ➡️ Your school’s mascot isn’t just a costume or a logo slapped on a T-shirt. ➡️ It’s the cornerstone of your school’s brand—and how you handle it matters. And trust us, there’s a BIG difference between voting on a mascot and actually building out a cohesive, professional brand around it. That’s where a little thing we like to call the foundation comes in. mascots get headlines. branding keeps the story going. Here’s the thing: Carter County’s mascot vote? That’s a huge step in building community engagement and excitement. But after the votes are counted and the mascot is official, then what? How do you make sure: ✔️ That shiny new mascot doesn’t show up pixelated and blurry at half your schools? ✔️ Every social media post, sports banner, T-shirt, and website actually looks like they’re part of the same district family? ✔️ You don’t have 37 versions of the same logo floating around your Google Drive? ( Spoiler alert: we’ve seen it happen. ) That’s why t he foundation isn’t just about “branding” in the traditional sense—it’s about giving your district the tools to actually use your mascot, logo, and identity with confidence and consistency. what does the foundation actually do? Glad you asked. Here’s how we help schools go from mascot vote → branding powerhouse : 🎨 Vectorize the mascot + logos so they’re crisp, clean, and usable anywhere (no more fuzzy, weirdly stretched graphics). 🎯 Provide multiple logo variations —horizontal, stacked, icon-only, you name it—so you’ve got the perfect version for every use. 📂 Organize everything into a branding system that’s actually easy to access (because digging through old email chains for “the right file” is no one's idea of fun). Check out The Design Lab Advantage ! 💡 And if a district’s current branding needs a full refresh, we can design a custom logo or mascot system from scratch, just like we did for Shelby County Public Schools . TL;DR: We turn your mascot from a one-time headline into a long-term win. why it’s worth it (even if you love your current logo) You might be thinking, “Our schools already love their mascot. Do we really need the foundation ?” Answer: Yes. 100%. Still worth it. the foundation doesn’t force you into a rebrand—it helps you protect and use the brand you already have. Whether you want to polish up what’s in place or start fresh, we make sure you can roll out your district’s identity across every school, every department, every platform. Because what’s the point of winning the mascot vote if no one can use the mascot properly? want more branding wins? If you’re curious how branding cleanup makes everything easier, check out: 📌 Let’s Talk Logos — where we break down why logos & branding systems matter 📌 Beyond the Logo — we chat about how great branding builds trust ready to get your mascot (and brand) in order? Whether you’ve got a brand-new mascot or a tried-and-true one, we’re here to help you clean it up, organize it, and make it shine. 📍 Let’s get started—The Foundation is ready when you are. 💬 Let’s talk .

Learn how strong school branding builds trust, deepens community connection, and strengthens advocacy efforts across your district.

Okay, let’s be real for a second— logos might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about school success. But if you’ve ever tried to use a blurry, outdated school logo on a flyer, website, or social media post, you know the struggle is real. 🎨 Does your logo look blurry every time it’s printed? 📣 Do you have 15 slightly different versions of your logo floating around, and no one knows which one to use? 🌟 Do you cringe when you see your school’s logo on a banner at an event? If any of this is #relatable to you, it’s time to fix that! That’s where The Foundation comes in. Before we can help schools tell their story, create engaging content, or build out accountability dashboards (like we talked about in our last blog ), we have to start with the basics: clean, professional, and versatile branding. Because when your district’s visual identity is strong and consistent, communication becomes easier, your brand looks more polished, and everything just works better. And the best part? We make that process simple, stress-free, and (dare we say it?) actually kind of fun. step one: getting clear on what you want Every school and district has a brand—whether they’ve put intentional thought into it or not. The Foundation helps districts take control of their branding so it actually represents who they are (instead of just being something that was slapped together in Microsoft Paint years ago and never revisited). Take Bullitt County Public Schools (BCPS), for example. When they came to us, they wanted a district logo that felt modern, professional, and uniquely them. We kicked off the process with a brand quiz —where BCPS leaders rated logo styles they liked (or really didn’t like). This gave us a starting point to design something that actually felt like BCPS —not just some generic school emblem. Once they picked their favorite concepts, we refined the design together —to make sure everything was exactly what they wanted to represent their district. step two: making sure every logo works everywhere It’s not just about having one nice logo. Your branding should work on websites, social media, letterheads, spirit wear, and everything in between. So after finalizing BCPS’s new district logo, we didn’t just send them one file and call it a day. We provided: ✔️ Vectorized versions (so the logo looks sharp and professional everywhere) ✔️ Various logo layouts (horizontal, stacked, icon-only, etc.) ✔️ Versions with and without the district name (because flexibility = freedom) ✔️ Ready-to-use file formats (for printing, digital use, and beyond!) Then we did the same for all of BCPS’s individual school logos. We took what they already had, cleaned everything up, vectorized the designs, and provided consistent, polished logo variations for each school. The result? BCPS now has a full, professional branding system that looks amazing everywhere—without any extra work on their part. why is this worth it? If you’re wondering, “Okay, but is this really that important?” —here’s the deal: 🎨 It makes your district look polished and professional. When your logos are clear, modern, and high-quality, people take your school brand more seriously. 📣 It makes communication easier. No more digging through random folders for the “right” version of a logo—everything is organized, accessible, and ready to go. (More on this in a future blog!) 🌟 It builds school pride. Students, staff, and the community want to represent a brand that looks strong and unified. 📈 It sets the stage for everything else. A solid visual identity makes storytelling, branding, and creative communication work SO much smoother in the long run. we make it easy for you We get it—branding and logos aren’t at the top of your to-do list. But that’s exactly why we’ve made The Foundation quick, painless, and stress-free. ✅ We do the heavy lifting. You give us input, and we bring your vision to life. ✅ We keep it simple. No confusing design jargon—just clear, collaborative work. ✅ We set you up for success. Forget having to scramble for the “right file” ever again. what’s next? If your district’s logos are outdated, inconsistent, or just not working, we’ve got you covered! 💡 Want to clean up your branding? Start with The Foundation. 📊 Need a modern, professional district logo? We’ll help you design it. 🎨 Looking for consistent, polished logos for every school? We’ve got you. 🔄 Let’s get started—so your district has everything it needs to show up strong! 💬 Let’s talk logos .

Accountability in education usually brings up one thing: test scores. But let’s be honest—numbers on a page don’t tell the full story of what’s happening in our schools. What if accountability wasn’t just about data and compliance but about real people, real progress, and real impact? At KDE’s latest town hall, the conversation around assessment and accountability took a different turn—one that focused on community-driven change ( Readmore about the town hall here ) . People weren’t just talking about what schools are required to report; they were asking deeper questions: 💡 What does success actually look like beyond a test score? 💡 How do we measure things that matter—like creativity, resilience, and collaboration? 💡 How can accountability be something schools own instead of something done to them? This shift—from a compliance mindset to a storytelling approach —is where we at the alchemy collab come in. beyond checklists: what if we measured growth like we tell stories? Right now, the accountability system in Kentucky is evolving. The big idea? Move away from a one-size-fits-all system and toward community-based accountability —where local voices shape the way schools define success ( See the KDE’s evolving framework here ). Imagine if we measured student learning the way we tell a great story. Instead of just checking off whether they “passed” or “failed” a test, what if we asked: 📖 Where did they start? 📖 What challenges did they overcome? 📖 What have they created, built, or contributed to their community? That’s exactly what districts like Bullitt County Public Schools are doing with their Community-Based Accountability work ( Learn more here ) . Instead of relying solely on test scores, BCPS is redefining success with their community. Their Graduate Profile isn’t just a set of standards—it’s a vision for what students should be able to do by the time they leave high school. And that vision wasn’t written in a boardroom—it was shaped by conversations with a wide variety of interested parties. Recently, BCPS has launched a Community-Based Accountability Steering Committee —bringing together educators, parents, students, and business leaders to ensure that accountability reflects what really matters. Their work includes building a public-facing dashboard to track progress on real-world learning, student-centered assessment, and stronger community partnerships. Superintendent Dr. Jesse Bacon puts it best: 👉 “This shift to a community-based accountability model is a meaningful way to ensure we are meeting the unique needs of our students and aligning our efforts with the priorities of our local community.” BCPS is proving that accountability isn’t just about reporting numbers—it’s about co-creating a future where education truly serves students and the local community. why storytelling matters in accountability We get it—stories might not seem like they belong in an accountability conversation. But here’s the thing: 🔹 Numbers without stories feel empty. A 95% graduation rate sounds great—but what’s behind that number? Who are the students who almost didn’t make it, and what made the difference for them? 🔹 Stories without numbers lack structure. We need data to understand trends, but stories give that data context. When a school improves its engagement scores, what changed? Was it a new mentorship program? More real-world learning experiences? Let’s tell that story. 🔹 Stories inspire action. No one reads a spreadsheet and gets fired up to change the world. (🗣️Should we say it louder for the folks in the back??) But hearing a student talk about how a capstone project helped them launch a small business? That moves people. how the alchemy collaborative helps schools and districts tell their story At The Alchemy Collaborative, we help schools and districts bring accountability to life through creative storytelling and strategic communication. That means: 🎥 Capturing student + teacher voices through photos and videos (because seeing real impact beats reading a report). 📊 Designing visual dashboards that actually tell a story instead of drowning in data. 📢 Helping districts share their wins on social media, in newsletters, and at community events. We believe accountability shouldn’t feel like a bureaucratic task —it should feel like a community celebration of what’s working and what’s next. let’s lay the foundation for better storytelling! Telling your district’s accountability story doesn’t just happen—it’s built on strong foundations. The truth is, we can work faster, smarter, and more creatively when districts invest in branding consistency, professional logos, and visual clarity across their schools. That’s why our work always starts with the foundation —our process for helping districts clean up and refine their branding. When we help districts refine their logos, get vectorized branding assets, and create clear, cohesive messaging, it unlocks the ability to do exactly what we’ve been talking about in this post—building accountability systems that showcase student growth, community impact, and real progress beyond test scores—becomes easier, more impactful, and more effective . what’s next? 💡 Need a stronger brand Foundation in order to tell your accountability story? We can help! 📖 Ready to turn your district’s progress into a compelling, creative story? We’ll help you get there. 🔄 Want to reimagine the status quo in your district? 💬 Let’s talk .

School closures due to inclement weather directly impact families, staff, and students. Clear and proactive communication not only ensures safety but also fosters trust within your community. When parents and staff know they can rely on your district for timely and accurate updates, it reduces confusion and frustration during an already stressful time.