As many of you know change and choice are two big communications challenges faced by leaders around the district. Explaining new strategies to your staff and community, and asking for support of new initiatives while still doing all the necessary 'real' work of being a leader can sometimes feel overwhelming and just plain impossible. We know the tremendous work each of you do in support of your staff, campus and the school district. We want to make your job easier. That's why we believe it's critical for district leaders to understand and implement an effective communications strategy. Effective communication is key for you, your staff and your students and it will make your job easier. Yes. Communications is an investment - one we believe it's worth making.
Let's start by asking a couple of important questions.
How can you garner support for the changes needed to achieve T-2-4 and why is it important?
A huge part of the T-2-4 initiative is embracing change - for families, students and your staff. One of the most powerful tools you can utilize when asking for support is good communications. Support is the result of understanding and understanding starts with communication.
If your parents and staff don't know what all of us are working to achieve, how can they support it? It's critical to understand how your campus aligns with the district goal of T-2-4, and to be able to clearly articulate that understanding in all your communications.
How can your school stand out and be a school of choice?
With so many options available to parents, now more than ever it's important for your school to have a strong plan to communicate why your campus is the choice for students and neighborhood families. If you were a parent in your campus zone, would you send your child your school?
How We Can Help - The Communicate Your Strengths Series
Two of the biggest communications initiatives currently underway in the SBISD Communications Department have to do with change and choice. As we create strategies and solutions for the district, our plan is to share them with you here. When you see the work we are doing, and the solutions we're applying, it may deepen your understanding and help inform your own campus planning around communications.
We hope you will consider some of the suggestions and ideas we'll be offering on this blog as part of our Communicate Your Strengths series. Our hope is the ideas we share here will inspire you and your staff to generate creative ideas of your own.
Thank you for taking the time to participate and invest in this process. Our goal is to be proactive and focused on continuous improvement. When we work hard to create understanding and build support for our schools everyone benefits.
If you have inputs, concerns or need additional information, please contact the SBISD Communications Director, Steve Brunsman.
