Communications

The Communications Department strives to protect the brand and identity of CGPS while supporting all departments and schools within the school district. Our goal is to deliver accurate information to internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner. We strive to promote the accomplishments of our students and staff and recognize that our local media partners are instrumental in sharing these positive stories.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Please submit ALL media requests to Kristin Tallent, CGPS Communications Director, by emailing her at tallentk@capetigers.com. Don't forget to include the topic that you're interested in, your story deadline, and any video or photo requests that you might have. To file an open records request, please email Brian Payne at payneb@capetigers.com.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATION

The Communications Director sends a "News & Notes" email on Wednesday on an as-needed basis. Emails will not be sent for the sake of sending an email. We value our staff's time and do not want to junk up their inbox unless we have meaningful information to share.

FAMILY COMMUNICATION

Family Updates are also emailed on Wednesdays on an as-needed basis. This information is shared utilizing the Infinite Campus student information system. If you are a guardian and not receiving these updates, please contact your school immediately to ensure your information is updated. Teachers, coaches and club sponsors will be communicating to guardians through the Cape Girardeau 63 app and the Rooms communications tool.

REQUEST TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH FAMILIES

Nonprofit organizations may wish to share opportunities that will enhance the quality of life for our families. Any organization seeking permission to send information to our families must submit a request in writing at least one month prior to their event to the Communications Director by sending an email to: tallentk@capetigers.com. Requests should be free of political or religious wording. Approved flyers will be added to the Virtual Backpack. Paper flyers are no longer sent home.

SCHOOL CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENTS

No matter the reason, when we are forced to cancel school we will make the announcement using a variety of communication tools. Under most circumstances, we will share the information using the tools below in the following order:

  • Infinite Campus Messaging System (text, email, phone call)

  • Post to Facebook

  • Share with local media

  • Post to the district website/App

Please note that the Infinite Campus system will not deliver all messages at the same time, so it is possible you might see the information shared on Facebook, the news, or the district website prior to receiving your text, email, and phone call.

EMERGENCY MESSAGING

Emergency messaging will be sent through the Infinite Campus student information system. In an emergency, families can expect to receive information via text, email, and phone call. Information will also be shared on Facebook, the district website, and with local media partners during an emergency situation.

BRAND STANDARDS

Cape Girardeau Public Schools proudly unveiled a new logo and brand standards in 2020. We want to maintain the integrity of our brand. If you are looking to use one of our school logos, please take a moment to read our brand standards. Please note, all schools, school clubs and organizations, and any group officially affiliated with our district will be required to use an official logo on all uniforms, tshirts, etc.

DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY!

Stay connected to CGPS anywhere you go by downloading the app in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

  1. Scan the QR code or search 'Cape Girardeau Public Schools' in your phone's app store and download the app

  2. Select 'ALLOW' when prompted on the initial download to ensure you receive notifications

  3. Open the app, and navigate to the bottom menu then tap 'SETTINGS'

  4. Make sure your settings are turned on and your organization is selected

QR code for the district app

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COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Kristin Tallent was voted most school spirit her senior year at Cape Central High in 1998, a fitting title for the future Communications Director. Ms. Tallent is proud to be back home working for her alma mater after serving as External Communications Manager for Memphis City-Shelby County Schools, formerly Shelby County Schools (SCS). While working for SCS she improved Tennessee's largest school district's positive and neutral storytelling (by local and national media) from 45% to 84% and provided crisis communication support to more than 180 principals.

Prior to working in public relations, Ms. Tallent was an Emmy Award-Winning news/sports anchor and reporter in four different states. She launched and solo-hosted a two-hour newscast while working for FOX13 in Memphis. She has contributed to a number of local and national newscasts while covering events like the Super Bowl, NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, the Daytona 500, American Idol, and more. She was also an Associated Press (AP) voter for NCAA Men's Basketball.

Ms. Tallent is a graduate of Mississippi State University where she was a four-year letterman on the track and cross country teams. She has a Master's of Strategic Communication from Arkansas State University. She and her husband, Cass, own a farm with three horses, three rescue dogs, and a cat.