Increasing the effectiveness of communication

Increasing the effectiveness of communication in a school setting requires intentional strategies that foster clarity, consistency, and collaboration among staff, students, and families.  Effective communication starts with clear, accessible messaging. Avoiding jargon, being direct, and using family-friendly language ensures that all stakeholders—regardless of background—can understand and act on the information shared.  People engage best when they know what to expect. A consistent rhythm of communication helps families and staff feel informed, included, and secure.  Communication should not be top-down. A truly effective strategy includes feedback loops, open forums, and spaces where every stakeholder feels heard and valued.  

Some real scenarios and actionable strategies are: 

• Staff Feeling Uninformed About Schoolwide Initiatives - A strategy that can help this is the use of a Centralized Staff Communication Hub. This can reduce email overload and ensure all staff have access to the same information in real time.
• Teachers are noticing that a growing number of students are not completing their homework.  Parents say they're unaware of any assignments, while others feel overwhelmed by unclear or inconsistent directions from different teachers. - All teachers post work on the school's digital platform and share directions with both students and parents on how to access it.