Community Communications

Governance
The governance of Horizons operates under a set of bylaws developed by the founding members of the school and last updated in 2006. The Communication Agreements and Expectations of Teachers, Parents, and Students, which support the school’s mission, were created by the Horizons Council.

Communication Agreements
Horizons Communication Agreements, which are posted in every classroom, guide interpersonal communication at our school for adults and students. These guidelines were developed by the Horizons Council and reflect the values of parents, teachers, and students.

We agree to...

• Be direct. Discuss your concern with the person (parent, teacher, etc.) with whom you are having a conflict or a problem
• Be clear about your concerns––keep the issue specific to your personal experience, trusting you will be received in a nonjudgmental way
• Ask for help. All teachers have been trained in communication strategies. Feel free to ask your teacher, other teachers, and the lead teacher for communication assistance
• Listen without judgment, making sure to understand the speaker’s message and concerns; paraphrase to ensure and demonstrate accurate understanding
• Be respectful
• Believe other people’s messages/views are real for them
• Maintain a communication structure for the school that is known by all community members
• Work together to meet challenges

...in a way that...

• Builds our relationships through honesty and empathy
• Works to find win/win outcomes
• Keeps a disagreement problem-based
• Is blame-free
• Keeps the well-being of the children first
• Supports/upholds the goals and philosophies of Horizons
• Creates a shared solution