"9 Ways - 9 Times"

What is good weather?

How many different responses would you get if you ask one, ten, one hundred, or more individuals? Would there be some common descriptions? Probably. Would they each be same? Hardly. Teetering on the obvious, we all have different opinions about what constitutes “good” weather.

What about effective communication?

Akin to defining and describing “good” weather, effective communication is literally defined, interpreted, and judged by the individual.

Imagine, therefore, an organization – any organization that is dependent upon effective communication – how can they (we) ensure effective communication with our employees as well as all stakeholders albeit student, parent, community member or other?

First and foremost I know that we have to be extremely clear about our intentions as well as expectations about “what” we communicate, “why” we communicate, and “how” we communicate. Underpinning our engagement and communication plan is a philosophical foundation composed of an unwavering commitment to view information as something like air – natural, in abundant supply, and ubiquitous (ever-present). Information is not a commodity that can be exercised at the discretion of whoever possesses it. If we are to achieve our mission, information and communication is paramount.

The adage of “9 ways – 9 times” comes from a practice that there is no one best way to communicate – no best medium, form, practice, or design. Thus, we are committed to employing the 9 ways - 9 times approach with the best hopes that one or more of the nine ways will meet your expectations.

However, disseminating information is but only one factor in effective communication. We have intensified our efforts to make authentic “two-way dialogue, conversation, listening as well as hearing” staff, parents, students, and community a priority.

To assist us we have partnered with K-12 Inisght to systematically and systemically develop protocols to solicit input, feedback, opinions, perspectives, recommendations, and etc. on several key topics, issues, and concerns by, for, and of the Anson County Schools.

We have also partnered with Mary Jo McGrath and her program, SUCCEED to assist our school system and community in building greater skills and practice in listening and communicating.

We have also partnered with Mariner, a Charlotte based company that specialize in organizational intelligence to assist us in communicating organizational performance in “real time” in all aspects of our Strategic Commitments.

Last spring we activated “Give us your Feedback” link on our website that is intended for anyone (internal or external) to give us specific feedback, solutions, and etc. about our school system.

This fall each of our parents in grades Pre K-6 and in subjects Algebra and Geometry (other subjects will soon be available) will receive a Parent Guide that specifically articulates what each learner is expected to learn and how their learning will be assessed.

Monthly our parents can expect a letter about events, activities, and achievements from their student’s principal. Our community can expect the “Inside Your Anson County Schools” quarterly that features the work of many of our departments as well as other timely district information.

Parents, students and staff are familiar with our Blackboard Connect-Ed system that communicates upcoming activities and events as well as daily attendance and emergency information often due to inclement weather.

Suffice: “9 ways - 9 times” is alive and well in the Anson County Schools. Yet, we can and must do more to ensure no parent, staff, student, or community member does not have accurate and timely information.

Moreover, we must ensure that each individual has the opportunity and access to provide feedback, input, opinions, perceptions, or suggestions to assist us in the work of “all means all”.