School Contact Guide for Back-to-School

One of the most common reasons parents are unable to be reached in emergency situations is because of not updating their contact information. Basic contact information is collected at the start of the school year. However what is true in September may have changed drastically in a few months. Here are 3 great tips to keep an open line of communication with the school or daycare.

Business Card

Many times when we think of our business image to the world, we immediately reach for our business card. No matter what your profession, having a business card with how to reach you is important. This card can be given to several people at the school. It can be attached to any note that you send your child to school with.

Hand these cards to each teacher during open house or progress report meetings. Contact the school nurse in person, or with a note. That way the nurse has your current contact information in her separate office. The transportation office or bus barn, counselor, and principal should all have your card. There will be at least one opportunity, usually with a note sent home from school to help remind you. Simply staple your business card to all correspondence with the school. Write your child's name and home room teacher on the back of the business card.

Cell phone /Home phone/Work Phone

Always have more than one phone number you can be reached at. Your cell phone may be with you during the day, but if happen to be outside of the calling area you may miss the call. Make sure that your cell , work, and home phone numbers have clear voice messages instructing how you want your message to be left. Always remind the caller to leave their name, number, and reason for their call. This only seems important when you are left with a number and no name, or a reason, name, but no phone number.

Email address, Instant Messenger, Skype

Include your email address, instant messenger, and skype id on the business card. Just think about how easy it is, for your child's teacher to send you a one line email or instant message to let you know about a situation that occurred at school today. This can save time, with you trying to speak with the teacher in person, every time a minor incident occurs. These brief communications can address small problems, that may have become serious if not handled quickly.

Schedule some time at the beginning of every month to update your contact information. Having a business card with your name, phone numbers, emails and instant message information makes it easy for people to reach you. The purpose of the business card is to reach you. Do not worry about your job title. Present yourself professionally on the business card. You the parent; are important and contact with you is vital for your child's education and safety.