The First 100 Days: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

The First 100 Days: Communicate,

Communicate, Communicate

Susie MeadeWinterset Community Schools

Jarrett Peterson Ankeny Community Schools

Communication is More Than Talking

Listening Non-verbal Emotional Awareness Stress Management Mindset -----transparency and

customer service

Total Misunderstanding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOd1jIDCeN8

Good Communication Is

Frequent Recurring Targeted to specific audiences Multi-channels (can be the same

message)

Get to Know the Culture of Communication in Your

District

How are they already communicating?

What are the expectations? Board, Internal, External

What is missing? What can be built and sustained in a

reasonable amount of time?

Develop an Entry Plan Heavy on

Communication

Communicating with the Board of Education

Communicate to their preferences

Communicate consistently

Err on over communication

Provide processing time

The Friday Update – Vision Areas

Friday Update Template

Communicating with the Administrative Team

Regular meetings (group and 1:1)

Keep them informed – include in the Friday Update

Involve them in the development of processes

Be accessible 24/7

Let them do their job and offer help often

Communicating with the Staff

Get to know them (associations first, all second)

Be visible in buildings and district events

Face to face most effective

Email updates every couple of weeks

Roundtable opportunities

Praise and recognize people (be specific, aligned to goals)

Don’t forget the support staff

Communicating With and Being Involved in the

Community

Traditional modes – newsletters, annual reports, press releases

Social media – dynamic website a must, Facebook, Twitter

Try new ways – electronic backpack, weekly e-mails

Emergency communication system

Get to know the media and develop a positive relationship

Key Things to Remember About Communication

Know How to Spell!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8nqi-RrfX0

Key Things to Remember About Communication

Don’t assume people know Communicating once won’t do it (7 Times 7 Ways Rule) Multiple generations to hit – think

about the different modes of communication each use

Key Things to Remember About Communication

Develop a plan and dedicate resources

Determine what do you want people to know and do

Answer who, what, where, when, why and what’s in it for me

Target the 60 (20-60-20)

Key Things to Remember About Communication

Communication is a lot like teaching

Old way – I teach, You learn New way – Needs to be explicit --

I do, We do, You do together, You do alone

Key Things to Remember About Communication

Writing will most likely be the first impression people get of you 6th grade level–now 3rd grade

level (!) Main point should be the first

sentence or paragraph

Key Things to Remember About Communication

Limit “educationese” Assessment Cohort Differentiation Kiddo

Key Things to Remember About Communication

Avoid alphabet soup

SIAC, PTO, PBIS, BOE, SAI, AEA, ACT, ESL, TQ & TL -- OMG!

Sometimes It’s Not What But How You Say It

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uquRRrJh-L0

Lastly,

Treat people as you would want to be treated

Be honest, straightforward, and sincere Saying, “I’m not sure about that and I’ll

get back to you” is okay Lead by example Hire good people and give them the

tools to effectively communicate

Questions