At Clifton Hills Elementary, social media has become more than just a communication tool. Along with providing news and updates to families, it has also become a celebration of community, a bridge across languages, and a space to show school pride.
Led by ENL teacher and New Teacher Support Lead Katie Brewer, the school’s social media pages have become a daily “open house” for families and the community. Brewer began running the pages last year after realizing that special, joy-filled moments happening around the school often went unseen.
“Our families should also get to see this,” Brewer said. “We want them to feel that Clifton Hills is a safe, happy place where their kids are not only learning, but experiencing joy.”
From birthday celebrations in the cafeteria to creative classroom projects, Clifton Hills’ Instagram and Facebook pages showcase the energy, love, and learning that happen each day. The school shares a mix of fun and informative content, such as videos introducing the school security officer, staff highlights, teacher introductions, student-led social media takeovers, and “photo dumps” capturing classroom moments. Brewer invites staff to share photos and videos from their week, which are also shown during school-wide “crew meetings” to reflect on and celebrate the week.
The effort has not only strengthened staff and student relationships but also bridged a gap between home and school. With a large population of students coming from Hispanic families, Brewer makes it a priority to include Spanish captions and bilingual content, helping families feel welcomed and informed. “Seeing teachers’ faces and hearing their voices builds trust,” Brewer said.
“Even with language barriers, our social media helps families see who we are and know their children are cared for.”
The school’s vibrant online presence has also inspired partnerships and fundraising. Posts have helped raise money for field trips and drawn support from local businesses and churches.
This fall, Clifton Hills is celebrating its 110th birthday with The Big Birthday Give for Little Explorers, a 24-hour giveback campaign to raise funds for student field trips. The event will feature an all-day “telethon” streamed through the school’s social media channels, allowing the community to follow along in real-time.
“Social media has really brightened our school culture,” Brewer said. “Sharing things this way involves the community and is informative. Clifton Hills is a very special and meaningful place to me and I really love sharing how magical our school is.”
As Assistant Principal Kennisha Cann put it, Brewer has brought “warmth, pride, and a true sense of community to every post.”
Through storytelling, connection, and creativity, Clifton Hills’ social media continues to highlight what makes the school a cornerstone of the East Lake community.
Check out their Instagram page here
You can also learn more about Clifton Hills’ 110th birthday fundraiser here.
