Starting the Year Off Right: Communicating with Parents

OK...this is a long one.
Communicating with parents is one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) aspect of our job. Each and every day, the light of someone's entire world walks into our classroom doors.  It is only natural that we keep them informed of what is going on in our room and with their child.


With that being said, it is something that I struggle with each year. Keeping 30+ students’ parents informed of the goings on in class is challenging to say the least. But there are some things that I have done to at least try to keep the lines of communication open. Here are a few ideas for you that I use in my classroom.

Communication Magnets
On the first day of school, I send home a packet of information about my classroom. In that packet is a magnet with my name, room number, school phone, classroom website, and my email address. This magnet has a little letter accompanying it asking the parents to place this on the refrigerator for the entire year. Even if it is just to remember my name, the magnet helps the parents to feel comfortable contacting me. I made my magnet using the business card sized magnets you can buy at your local office supply store and my computer. It was fairly simple to create, yet has a tremendous impact on my year.

Welcome Packet
As I mentioned above, I also send home a welcome packet with all of the information that the parents could possibly need in order to really understand my classroom.  In this packet, I include a welcome letter, information about my discipline policy (classroom economy actually), a heads up to the daily planner and weekly folders that will go home, permission forms for checking out my library books, a volunteer form, etc...  Basically, everything that they will need to feel confident and comfortable as a parent in my room.  Here are the letters that I send home.  They are editable (in Word) for you to customize to your own classroom.

Weekly Reports

This is a Spanish sample (that I made up, for privacy reasons)

The most effective way I have found to keep the parents informed is by sending out a Weekly Report. I have created a form, which I use each and every week in my class, that is basically a “check and circle” type of form. I note the behavior, academic progress, and any areas of need each week and send it home. Even in my classes of 36 students, I was able to get these done and sent home. The parents become accustomed to looking for it, and the students become accustomed to getting it signed and discussed with their parents. The best part of it is that I NEVER have a parent who is “surprised” come report card time. The Weekly Report basically keeps them in the know of all things regarding their child.  You can get the Weekly Report form I created {free} here.


Tell Me About Your Child
One of the most effective ways I have found to get to know my students better is by enlisting the help of their parents. At Back to School Night I place a little brainstorm bubble on the desks of the students. As the parents sit there, I ask them to fill it in with anything they wish me to know about their child. This truly has opened my eyes about the little learners sitting in my classroom. But a side effect is that the parents then know that I care about their child as a CHILD. It helps to put them at ease when the person who represents their entire world is sitting in my classroom for ¼ of the day. They are then more apt to work with me because I showed I cared.  Here is the {free} document that I use for this. 

So there you have it…four simple ways that I have used to try and keep the flow of communication between the parents and myself going throughout the year. What have you done in your room that has been effective?

Looking for even more ideas for back to school time??  Some of my upper grade friends have some great ideas that I know you will just love!  Click on any of the links below to visit some amazing blogs :)

 
An InLinkz Link-up