By Lookout Staff

December 16, 2009 -- Now it's not just students twittering the latest word on campus. The School District will provide the public news and updates using the latest social networking tool.

Some of the information released so far via www.twitter.com/smmusd includes news about upcoming events at board meetings, special recognitions for SMMUSD students and employees, and other issues of relevance to the district.

“We know that there are many people who want to know more about our district, our students, and our employees,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews. “Twitter will provide a technologically relevant and instantaneous way of getting that information out.”

Those who want to be notified immediately of any Twitter update can open an account on Twitter and become a “follower” of SMMUSD.

By entering an email address or a phone number (for text messages), the “follower” will be immediately notified when SMMUSD information is posted to Twitter. There are currently twenty-two followers on the page, and the district is hoping for many more.

“We are doing so many positive things in our district, and this strategy will provide us an additional way of telling our story,” said Superintendent Tim Cuneo.

This will not be an emergency communications tool, since the district will not rely on it for communications to the parents and families.

The district is currently working on implementing an emergency communications strategy and will be releasing that information early next year.