Communication Agreements
Why We Do What We Do
At Horizons, we believe education is a true team effort — one built on trust, respect, and open communication between students, teachers, and parents. That partnership is at the heart of everything we do, and it's spelled out in our Horizons Communication Agreements, posted in every classroom. These guidelines were shaped by our own community — parents, teachers, administrators, and students — through the Horizons Council, and they guide how we communicate with one another every day.
Our Communication Agreements
We agree to:
- Be direct — discuss concerns directly with the person involved
- Be clear and specific, trusting we'll be received without judgment
- Ask for help — every teacher is trained in communication strategies, and support is always available
- Listen without judgment, and paraphrase to confirm understanding
- Be respectful
- Believe that others' views are real and valid for them
- Maintain a shared communication structure known to the whole community
- Work together to meet challenges
..in a way that:
- Builds relationships through honesty and empathy
- Seeks win-win outcomes
- Keeps disagreements problem-focused, not personal
- Stays blame-free
- Puts children's wellbeing first
- Upholds the goals and philosophy of Horizons
- Creates shared solutions
