Monday 9-10 p.m. EST. Building a Culture of Learning. "We invite all educators, parents, students and any member of a school community to join our mission of moving away from compliance to create and foster a true COL."
Hello fellow COLchat chatters. It’s great to be here with you. I’m Frank Bellomo, an Elementary Principal in Macomb, MI. Looking forward to talking about Communication with all of you tonight. #COLchat
A1. My favorite way to communicate is getting out and about in the school. Getting into classrooms, hallways,the lunchroom, and outside to talk with kids and staff is the best for me. Email is easy but you lose the emotion piece and things sometimes lose translation. #COLchat
A1: Everything we do sends a message. With information available everywhere, it's important to meet people where they are - social media, text, email, etc. #colchat
A1. My favorite way to communicate is getting out and about in the school. Getting into classrooms, hallways,the lunchroom, and outside to talk with kids and staff is the best for me. Email is easy but you lose the emotion piece and things sometimes lose translation. #COLchat
A1 Staff: daily face to face convos, Weekly ‘Staff ahead’ newsletters, feedback in written form after every walkthrough/observation
Families: monthly newsletters, Facebook Live, social media, school messenger phone calls and emails #Colchat
A1: Frequent email updates, surveys, phone calls and texts (depending on what family prefers). Always ask what is best time and method to communicate #COLchat
A2. Twitter has been a good way to communicate with families some of the daily happenings in our school in the form of pictures and updates. If you don’t tell your story or what you’re about as a school, someone else will for you and it may not be accurate. #COLchat
Haven’t found my way to Instagram yet. Probably more in Middle School. Many of our teachers enjoy using Remind. I’m sure parents are on it though. #COLchat
A2 I use most of the forms already mentioned in other answers. Additionally, I use Google forms to gather feedback. I just included one in my week ahead newsletter that went out to staff last Thursday. #COLchat
Q2 I text families through a Google Voice number A LOT. Even if it's a quick "Your kid did great work today!" Also send a bi-weekly email to all families. Have used some scheduling websites for family conferences, though I seem to switch sites each year #COLchat
A2 I text families through a Google Voice number A LOT. Even if it's a quick "Your kid did great work today!" Also send a bi-weekly email to all families. Have used some scheduling websites for family conferences, though I seem to switch sites each year #COLchat
Haven’t found my way to Instagram yet. Probably more in Middle School. Many of our teachers enjoy using Remind. I’m sure parents are on it though. #COLchat
I find that asking families how they WANT to be communicated with increases the chances that they respond and build a connection with me. Small thing, but it matters. #COLchat
I really enjoy YouTube for themed videos for the school. Even if it’s not a direct message to parents, it does send the school community a message as they can get a better perception and impression of the school. #COLchat
A2 I text families through a Google Voice number A LOT. Even if it's a quick "Your kid did great work today!" Also send a bi-weekly email to all families. Have used some scheduling websites for family conferences, though I seem to switch sites each year #COLchat
A3. Email can be quick and easy but staff can misread our emotions and we can also misread theirs. A face to face conversation can allow for us to understand each other and our emotions. #COLchat
Q2 I text families through a Google Voice number A LOT. Even if it's a quick "Your kid did great work today!" Also send a bi-weekly email to all families. Have used some scheduling websites for family conferences, though I seem to switch sites each year #COLchat
A3 it's tempting to embrace the "new thing" without considering how well it integrates with our general practice and communication habits. We also risk forgetting there is a human on the other end if we only ever read texts, emails, etc. Face-to-face still matters #COLchat
A3: It can come off as impersonal. There are times when we hide behind technology when the situation would be better served by a face-to-face conversation (and a simple walk down the hallway). #COLchat
Those personal messages to parents mean a lot. As parents we love getting messages or written info about our kids. It communicates the message that you care. #COLchat
A3: Each School Community is different. School leaders must determine how to communicate.
If you fail to communicate with stakeholders, then it doesn’t matter if you sent a tweet or a hard copy newsletter. #COLchat
I first started using Google Voice because of a school policy to avoid connecting our work communication with our personal phone number. But I like that I can text via phone or type on a computer -- made "finding time" to communicate a lot easier. #COLchat
A3: Each School Community is different. School leaders must determine how to communicate.
If you fail to communicate with stakeholders, then it doesn’t matter if you sent a tweet or a hard copy newsletter. #COLchat
A3 A large percentage of communication is through body language. That cannot always be displayed in technology and can be misinterpreted. When it’s possible to meet in person with somebody, especially when the topic is sensitive, that should always be the first method. #COLchat
A3 A large percentage of communication is through body language. That cannot always be displayed in technology and can be misinterpreted. When it’s possible to meet in person with somebody, especially when the topic is sensitive, that should always be the first method. #COLchat
A3. Email can be quick and easy but staff can misread our emotions and we can also misread theirs. A face to face conversation can allow for us to understand each other and our emotions. #COLchat
A4. Communication with stakeholders can take place at any time. A simple hello before school in the hall, a goodbye after school or starting a conversation can take place at any time. These gestures of interest into their life can help build relationships and trust. #COLchat
A4. Communication with stakeholders can take place at any time. A simple hello before school in the hall, a goodbye after school or starting a conversation can take place at any time. These gestures of interest into their life can help build relationships and trust. #COLchat
A4 Communicate as often as possible, on as many mediums as possible. You want your message to be clear, transparent, compassionate, and timely. #Colchat
If you track how many parents open your email or answer the phone call, you can gain valuable information about whether or not you are reaching the intended audience. #COLchat
You are 100% with meeting in person. I know I have been guilty of misreading emotion in an email or two so I am sure people have misread my intent as well. #COLchat
I like the concept of "telling our own story". People need to hear the great things happening in our schools and deserve explanations for the things that may not be so great. #COLchat
I used to be a believer that there could be too much communication, until I watched the void get filled with crap. Now, I believe you just keep telling your story. #COLchat
I love school messenger- it tracks this- specifically parents names and if they listened to the message or opened the email. This gives me feedback on how to deliver messages. #COLchat
It’s quite easy to assume or stakeholders know why certain decisions are made or why we might have done something. This is something I need to remember and not assume they know. #COLchat
A5. Our actions can communicate negative energy and disinterest if we are not mindful of them. Students can pick on this as well. It’s not hard to smile at others or give a quick hello. It lets people know you notice them and you care enough to acknowledge them. #COLchat
A5: 5 Types Of Communication with Staff:
1. Shine a Spotlight on Students
2. Feature Teachers
3. Celebrate School Success
4. Thank Parents/Supporters
5. Share Resources
#COLchat
A5: 5 Types Of Communication with Staff:
1. Shine a Spotlight on Students
2. Feature Teachers
3. Celebrate School Success
4. Thank Parents/Supporters
5. Share Resources
#COLchat
Definitely! This summer, in the trauma informed care training I attended, I learned to be mindful of the energy I create when I walk into a room. We all create an energy through our body language. #COLchat
A5. Our actions can communicate negative energy and disinterest if we are not mindful of them. Students can pick on this as well. It’s not hard to smile at others or give a quick hello. It lets people know you notice them and you care enough to acknowledge them. #COLchat
Sadly school messenger lets me know that we have far too many parents using email. That is something I must try to increase this year. I don’t want to use the phone message for so much but it is the main way all the parents receive some messages. #COLchat
A6. Many times we can read the facial emotions of others. I’ll have to admit though, there have been times when I have chosen the email route and the communication was not what I intended. Especially if you find yourself trying to explain yourself in email. #COLchat
A5: 5 Types Of Communication with Staff:
1. Shine a Spotlight on Students
2. Feature Teachers
3. Celebrate School Success
4. Thank Parents/Supporters
5. Share Resources
#COLchat
Sadly school messenger lets me know that we have far too many parents using email. That is something I must try to increase this year. I don’t want to use the phone message for so much but it is the main way all the parents receive some messages. #COLchat
A6: This is a great question! If we get 25 retweets, it does not mean we reached 750 families. If we send a newsletter in English only, we have not communicated with all families. #COLchat
The old-fashioned house call is still an effective communication strategy. It means a lot to families that you care to connect and meet at their home instead of the school. #COLchat
A7. My best tip would be to be honest and show others in your actions that you care. Do things face to face when you can. Allow others to communicate their thoughts and be open to their ideas even though they may be different than yours. #COLchat
A7a Assume that questions are asked out of genuine confusion or curiosity, or from a lack of clarity on our part. Don't take it personally if people don't understand; take it as feedback. #COLchat
A7a Assume that questions are asked out of genuine confusion or curiosity, or from a lack of clarity on our part. Don't take it personally if people don't understand; take it as feedback. #COLchat
The old-fashioned house call is still an effective communication strategy. It means a lot to families that you care to connect and meet at their home instead of the school. #COLchat
A7 I’m a little embarrassed to admit this but it has taken me several years to learn that the best form of communication is to LISTEN first. Seek to understand before being understood. #COLchat
A7b Also, a tip I heard regarding political ads, but I think it applies to everything: look at how you communicate and ask "How would a reasonable human respond to this?" Predicting how things might come off is a good habit. #COLchat
A7 I’m a little embarrassed to admit this but it has taken me several years to learn that the best form of communication is to LISTEN first. Seek to understand before being understood. #COLchat
A7: I agree with @MicheleCorbat - listening is the best strategy we can utilize. How we respond to what we hear is also extremely important - cannot be defensive, should not be formulating responses, must listen to understand and without interrupting. #COLchat
A7. I believe that often times people may come to us and share things they may be upset about or not understand because they feel comfortable in approaching us or have a trust in us. So in this case, our communication is to simply listen first. #COLchat
A8 Being present when someone is communicating with me— REALLY listening (put my phone down, look in their eyes, ask questions, & pause before replying) #COLchat
A8 inspired by @MicheleCorbat - I'll commit to being present, listening first, clarifying what I heard. It's so easy to forget this in the fast pace of the school year. #COLchat
Trying to be efficient with an email instead of getting out of the office isn’t really efficient at all if you could have saved someone anxiety, fear, developed a relationship, or earned their trust……#COLchat
It was great to have the #COLchat founders @RodneyHetherton@MicheleCorbat and @aj_hartley1 with us tonight along with some of the regulars and some new contributors! Thankful for the opportunity to learn with and from you all!
It was great to have the #COLchat founders @RodneyHetherton@MicheleCorbat and @aj_hartley1 with us tonight along with some of the regulars and some new contributors! Thankful for the opportunity to learn with and from you all!
Thank you @WaltKozlowski & @FbellomoB for keeping #COLchat going! Perfect topic to unify! With the start of the school year, good communication can build a strong foundation of transparency & trust! #COLchat
It was great to have the #COLchat founders @RodneyHetherton@MicheleCorbat and @aj_hartley1 with us tonight along with some of the regulars and some new contributors! Thankful for the opportunity to learn with and from you all!
Thanks for joing tonight's #COLchat. Hopefully, you will join us again next time - September 17, 9 PM EST.
In the meantime, MAKE it a GREAT couple of weeks.
Thanks for being here with us tonight in #COLchat. It was great learning from all of you. See you on September 17th at 9pm EST. Enjoy your school communities until then!
