Calcasieu Parish School System
Partners In Education
Communication
| Communication is the Key: The single most important factor in building and maintaining a successful partnership is communication. Positive, frequent, and regularly scheduled communication keeps partnerships focused. |
|
Things to Remember:
With everyone's
schedule incredibly full, it is helpful to make a point to find out when
your partner is available and if you need to leave a message, to whom
should you speak. There are certain days and times that are the best for
all of us. Day(s) ____________________________________________________________________ Time(s) ___________________________________________________________________ Secretary's Name ___________________________________________________________ |
| Regular Meetings: Meetings should be interesting, upbeat, and carefully orchestrated for efficiency in time management. During busy times, take advantage of telephone conferences. |
| Ask Questions: Schools, businesses, civic groups, church, etc. are all unique in operations, personnel, and each possesses a special jargon. Don't be afraid to ask for an explanation and, when possible, try to anticipate a possible communication gap by providing explanations for special jargon. |
| Be Honest: Each partner needs to know what is expected and what he/she can expect in return. Keep plans simple and goals realistic. If something is not working, evaluate the situation as soon as possible and revise as necessary. Be innovative and don't be afraid to try new ideas! |
| Put It In Writing: Put your plan in writing and make sure that all parties involved have copies. Effective communication with all persons involved insures a smooth operation. Positive oral and written communication is vital to the success of the partnership. A genuine smile and a sincere thank you insure positive and effective communication. |
| Reach Out: Involve as many people as possible on both sides of the partnership. More positive support is a direct result of feeling a part of the project. Shared responsibility keeps the momentum going and lessens fatigue and burnout. |
| Ask for Help: Partnerships have such a positive effect that partners are reluctant to bring up a negative. Do you need to improve student morale or attendance? Would your company like to be better known within the school community? Working together will yield positive results and progress for the partners as well as the entire community. |