Communication Policy

Why is communication important?

One of the most important skills you can learn in life is how to communicate properly. Communication at its most basic is the transfer of information from one person to another. If we don't communicate properly then that information doesn't get transferred properly and misunderstandings can occur. As a class you are all working towards the same goal, to become better bakers. If we all take the time to communicate with a respectful and encouraging tone then we can help each other towards that common goal.

Basic Communication Guidelines:

• Reread your emails or comments before you submit them. You can't make changes once they are sent!

• Always use appropriate language in your communications.

• Remember the context in which your are communicating. Don't be overly formal but also don't be too informal.

• Only post things that you would feel comfortable saying to someone face-to face.

• Keep your conversations class appropriate.

Communicating with Mrs. K

The most efficient way to communicate with me, when you are not in the classroom, is via email or Google Hangouts (the chat option in your Gmail account). Phone calls to the school will always be sent to my voicemail which I can only check a few times a day.

I enjoy answering your baking questions inside and outside of the classroom and I try to be available to my students as much as possible. Please understand, however, that I also have children and family responsibilities. During school hours I will respond quickly to your emails (M-F, 7:30 am to 2:30 pm). In general, I will respond in a timely manner to your emails even when they are outside of school hours, however, I will not respond to emails after 9:00 pm during the week and I am not available on the weekends.

Email: jkalyankar@htps.us

Phone: (908) 431-6600

School Address: 466 Raider Boulevard, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Guidelines all students should follow when communicating with the teacher:

• Before you email your question, look at the FAQ page to see if your question has already been addressed. Also, reread the assignment to make sure you didn't miss any of the details.

• Always re-read your email before you send it to check for clarity and grammar. This is a good habit to get into for all emails you are composing!

• If you have questions about how to complete an assignment email me as soon as possible. If you wait until the last moment you might not get it done on time.

• If I ask you a question via email or Google Classroom, please respond within 24 hours.

• If your question is about a grade or lab feedback please make sure you tell me exactly which assignment or lab you are referring to. It will save us both a lot of time if you indicate this information in the initial email.

Guidelines the teacher will follow when communicating with all students:

• I will respond to all of your questions within 24 hours unless it is asked on a weekend. All weekend questions will receive answers on Monday morning.

• I will always communicate with you via Gmail, Google Hangouts via Gmail, or Google Classroom. Make sure your Google Classroom account is set to send you an email when you receive comments on work or messages.

• I will provide grades and feedback as quickly as possible, but no later than one week from the date they were submitted.

• I will update your grades in Genesis in a timely manner so you always know what your grade is in the class.

• I will assist the groups in working out differences only after they have attempted to work them out on their own.

Students Communicating with Students

Sometimes you will be asked to provide feedback to your classmates. This typically happens when we are working on large projects or when reviewing the final products that another student/group made in a lab.

Feedback Guidelines:

• Ensure that your feedback is constructive. One way to do this is to offer suggestions for improvement, rather than simply pointing out flaws.

• Give others the type of feedback you would like to receive. Try to be helpful.

• Pay attention to due dates. The student you are providing feedback to is counting on you to help them improve their work but if you submit it late they won't have time to apply your suggestions.

• If the feedback you have received is inappropriate or offensive contact me immediately and share a screen shot of the feedback. It is the job of the teacher to address this issue.

Group Work:

Every time we cook in class it will be in groups. There are not enough materials for students to work alone and space is limited too. Your first group will be assigned randomly and each month the groups will change. In general the only time you get to choose your group is for the last month of the semester.

While working in labs you will be expected to work cooperatively with everyone in your group. This experience will help you to practice communicating with a variety of people which is a great skill to have in life. Communication is the key to getting everyone in the group working toward the common goal.

Everyone has areas they can work on to improve their communication skills. Some of the most important things a person can do to be an effective communicator are:

• Be a good listener

• Be aware of nonverbal cues in yourself and others

• Keep your emotions and stress in check

• Work to understand and empathize with others

• Respond with patience and respect

Google Meet Expectations