Principal’s Corner: Staying Connected with FOCUS

PANAMA CITY, FL – This month, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mrs. Ilea Faircloth, Hiland Park Elementary’s “Proud Princi-pal” and leader of a Leader in Me Lighthouse and Ron Clark House System school. She spoke about an important shift for families this year, the complete transition to FOCUS, Bay District Schools’ parent and student app.

Mrs. Faircloth explained that this year marks a transition away from Class Dojo and Remind, as FOCUS becomes the central tool for all K–12 families. Designed to be more comprehensive and consistent, FOCUS provides everything in one place. “FOCUS is parents’ connection for all the things,” she emphasized.

Through the app, parents can:

View grades in real-time
Access required forms
Connect directly with teachers, guidance counselors, and administration
Stay updated with announcements and school news

The announcement feature in FOCUS mirrors what families used to find in Dojo’s Class Stories but goes a step further. FOCUS is systemic, meant to be used across all Bay District schools, making it a reliable, one-stop shop for families.

One of the most exciting features is the app’s ability to auto-translate into multiple languages and dialects, making communication more accessible and inclusive than ever before. This innovation breaks down language barriers and ensures every family can stay informed and engaged.

Mrs. Faircloth also stressed the importance of parent partnership: “Parent partnership is the #1 indicator of student success.” She continued by explaining that you should not hesitate to reach out regardless of your concerns. You are a valued partner. You are welcome and wanted.

She wants every family to know that their requests, comments, and concerns are heard and respected. Her open-door policy ensures that communication between home and school remains a true partnership.

With FOCUS at the center of this connection, Hiland Park Elementary is helping put the “A” back in Bay, where students, parents, and educators succeed together.