7. Community Relations
a. Articulate organizational purpose and priorities to community and media
b. Request and respond to community feedback c. Demonstrate the ability to build community consensus d. Relate political initiatives to stakeholders - including parental involvement programs e. Identify and interact with internal and external publics f. Understand and respond to news media g. Promote positive image of schools and the school district h. Monitor and address perceptions about school-community issues i. Demonstrate the ability to identify and articulate community issues that impact local education |
In order for schools to thrive, they need the support of the local community; therefore, it is imperative that the school exhibits a robust program of community relations. Regular, purposeful external communication is integral to being an effective principal. In today's society, schools must communicate in multiple ways and allow families to choose their communication vehicles. Additionally, communication needs to strategically gather input as well as focus on output.
During my internship, I was able to observe the multiple communication devices used by our elementary principal. Each week she e-mails a Principal’s Message to parents summarizing the week’s activities and offering reminders. In addition, monthly school newsletters are e-mailed with stories about what is happening at each grade level. Our elementary school is an arts magnet, so news is often centered on what is going on in arts programming. We also have a website that is updated almost daily with news and reminders and a local newspaper that reports on noteworthy events. When important announcements are issued, an emergency phone call and email system is used to reach all families and teachers homes. This principal taught me that if the community does not know what is happening in our schools, they will not be inclined to support us when we need them most, when we ask for a levy.
I believe that a collaborative approach to leadership increases the success of communication. Staff and parents involved in collaboration, naturally support successful information transfer and clarification of messages beyond regular written communication avenues. I believe that a very important part of communication is listening and asking questions. Information is not understood the same way for everyone so it is important that each audience is taken into consideration when determining the best communication methods for stakeholders.
I employ this strategy when I meet with the Q Comp PLC leadership. I meet with PLC leaders monthly to help monitor the PLC process, facilitate school improvement through tiered professional development, and support their work with their groups (Artifact 1). I rely on this group of leaders to communicate to their groups, helping to educate them on issues, create buy-in for change, and offer feedback with their group’s perspective when I am working on new procedures or program evaluation. If it were just me, I would have a much more difficult time getting clear understanding to and widespread feedback from all stakeholders.
I believe in regular evaluation of school programming and communication practices. One practice I was able to observe is our superintendent’s use of 12 on Tuesday. This is a meeting format for small groups of parents, students, and staff separately with the purpose of connecting and looking for pathways for improvement in communication as well as school procedures. Another option for gathering feedback is the use of surveys. After our school adopted Assessment Days at the beginning of the school year, I created a parent survey for us to be able to collect data related to parents’ perspectives (Artifact 2). The key with surveys is the commitment to modifying practice based on survey outcomes.
Positive community perception is essential. In order to create positive perception, communication is of utmost importance. Schools are great places with wonderful people and touching interactions and activities. Sharing those special moments can change the perspectives of community members, decreasing assumptions and increasing understandings.
During my internship, I was able to observe the multiple communication devices used by our elementary principal. Each week she e-mails a Principal’s Message to parents summarizing the week’s activities and offering reminders. In addition, monthly school newsletters are e-mailed with stories about what is happening at each grade level. Our elementary school is an arts magnet, so news is often centered on what is going on in arts programming. We also have a website that is updated almost daily with news and reminders and a local newspaper that reports on noteworthy events. When important announcements are issued, an emergency phone call and email system is used to reach all families and teachers homes. This principal taught me that if the community does not know what is happening in our schools, they will not be inclined to support us when we need them most, when we ask for a levy.
I believe that a collaborative approach to leadership increases the success of communication. Staff and parents involved in collaboration, naturally support successful information transfer and clarification of messages beyond regular written communication avenues. I believe that a very important part of communication is listening and asking questions. Information is not understood the same way for everyone so it is important that each audience is taken into consideration when determining the best communication methods for stakeholders.
I employ this strategy when I meet with the Q Comp PLC leadership. I meet with PLC leaders monthly to help monitor the PLC process, facilitate school improvement through tiered professional development, and support their work with their groups (Artifact 1). I rely on this group of leaders to communicate to their groups, helping to educate them on issues, create buy-in for change, and offer feedback with their group’s perspective when I am working on new procedures or program evaluation. If it were just me, I would have a much more difficult time getting clear understanding to and widespread feedback from all stakeholders.
I believe in regular evaluation of school programming and communication practices. One practice I was able to observe is our superintendent’s use of 12 on Tuesday. This is a meeting format for small groups of parents, students, and staff separately with the purpose of connecting and looking for pathways for improvement in communication as well as school procedures. Another option for gathering feedback is the use of surveys. After our school adopted Assessment Days at the beginning of the school year, I created a parent survey for us to be able to collect data related to parents’ perspectives (Artifact 2). The key with surveys is the commitment to modifying practice based on survey outcomes.
Positive community perception is essential. In order to create positive perception, communication is of utmost importance. Schools are great places with wonderful people and touching interactions and activities. Sharing those special moments can change the perspectives of community members, decreasing assumptions and increasing understandings.