DO YOU READ ME? : IMPROVING COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL

Communication between home and school is especially important when students are struggling academically, socially, behaviorally or emotionally. Parents need to understand what's happening at school so that they can continue with the learning at home, so how can we impove the lines of communication with families between home and school? Here are my thoughts.

REACH OUT FIRST

I'm a big believer that it's the teacher's responsibility to initiate a relationship. So, at the beginning of the school year, take time to call each parent and introduce yourself as their child's teacher. The conversation doesn't have to be long, but it's a way to show the parents that you truly care about their child. It's also a great way for parents to tell you anything important about their child that you should know in the first days of school, such as carpool information, allergies, or learning needs. Teachers can even prepare a script for the conversation to help lessen anxiety about calling.

Additionally, when you reach out, you can ask what types of communication in the future work for them, such as phone calls or emails. You can also check with them on what times of the day and what days of the week work best . This then gives you the opportunity to try and make contact when the families are most available.

KEEP COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES POSITIVE

Over the first few weeks of school, try to keep an eye out for positive behaviors you see in the classroom. When you notice a child doing something positive, affirm the child, but also send home a note to let the parents know about the positive thing their child did. You don't have to have some fancy form, you can simply write it on a sticky note or in an

email. So often communication ends up being about the inappropriate choices students make. How amazing would it be if the first feedback parents received was positive? Then continue that throughout the year to show both students and families that you notice the positive things their child is doing too.

KEEP COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES SIMPLE

It's easy to fall into the trap that more words are better. But sometimes, less is more. It's also easy to add in teacher jargon that won't make sense to parents. So, when you're writing your notes, newsletters, and emails, try to put them in user-friendly language. Each teacher has a different communication style. Here are some of the ways I've seen teachers communicate with families:

• Class Dojo: a website that allows teachers and parents to communicate and share, not just notes, but photos and videos about a student's day. classdojo.com
• Blogs: Teachers can create a private blog that is only available to the families in their class, and that shares updates and information about what is happening in school. Also, providing students with a shout-out in the blog is a great positive motivator!
• Emails: Send an email to families on a regular basis. Many email providers also have a feature that you can schedule your emails ahead, using a template that takes less time but still allows for some personalized information about each student.
• Monthly Newsletters: Although in paper form to send home with students, just like the blogs, this pro

vides information to parents about what is going on in the classroom.

• Daily Behavior Logs: These are individualized for students that specifically may need more support with behavior. There are many types of logs you can use, some with pictures, rating scales, and checklists. Often these are specific plans to be done with teachers and families, when a student has behaviors of concern, and more information needs to be shared on a regular basis. teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School- Home-Communication-Logs--8229193

You should pick the communication style that works for you. Some educators love using online portfolios and other teachers prefer giving out paper newsletters. Some prefer to email, others prefer to have a blog. I think everyone has opinions about which is better, but at the end of the day, you have to pick what works for you and the families. Pick something you'll be able to stick with.

GIVE CLEAR EXPLANATIONS TO PARENTS

Whichever method of communication you pick, make sure you communicate clearly with parents. If you tell parents you're going to be communicating monthly, then you need to follow through on this. If you tell parents, you're going to post something on their child's portfolio weekly, then make sure this is what you are doing. Parents deserve to have consistency from their child's teachers. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances, but to the best of our abilities, we need to be consistent.