Teachers Communicating with Parents: Keep it Up-to-Date and Simple

"If I had known about the math test, I would've helped him prepare."
"She told me on Sunday night that she had a science project due Monday."

If you're a teacher, you are no stranger to hearing comments such as those from parents. The key to keeping lines of communication open between teachers and parents is consistent contact. The most efficient way to accomplish this goal is through email. As teachers, we can sit at our computers for five minutes at the end of each day to let parents know what's happening in the classroom. Those five minutes just might prevent the development of potential problems. Of course, there are always homes without computers. Those parents will still have to be reached via phone calls and written messages; the majority, however, will have access to email, thus saving you valuable time.

A Sign of the Times

Past forms of teacher/parent interaction were limited to notes, conferences and phone calls. Technology has changed that for the better. Although many moms and dads might not be ready for "tweets," most are adept at email. Progress reports are typically available online for parents, so they are accustomed to turning to their computers for details. With prodding, they will eventually check their email as part of a daily ritual. Of course, some schools are in very poor areas where few parents have computers. This might be a good opportunity for soliciting a grant or reaching out to a community partner.

Busy People

Although we might wish parents were more involved, many work so they're not able to visit the school for conferencing as much as they'd like. Teachers are also pressed for time as they attend meetings, prepare for their days, and help children before and after school. Playing phone tag can be very frustrating for parents and teachers alike. Teachers often resort to elaborate weekly newsletters as their means of communication, but they are time-consuming and often end up lost in backpacks.

The Plan

Decide how often you will communicate with parents through a group email, and don't vary. A line or two each day is best. Perhaps you'll just email every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Keep the notes short, direct and simple. Tell parents about tests, upcoming assignments, homework, deadlines-anything that is pertinent to the day. You might want to include links to reinforcement sites. For example, if you are teaching addition of fractions, include a link to an interactive fraction game.

The Set-Up

Parents need to be on board. When you send information home at the beginning of the year, include a form requesting an email address. Some parents will want to provide more than one email address-the more, the merrier. Be sure to reiterate your communication process at Open House. Place all the parents' email addresses into a blind copy for confidentiality. You might have to create more than one group, depending on the classes you teach.

Precautions

Never share parents' email addresses with anyone. Use email simply to disseminate information about your class-don't send items such as junk mail or chain letters. Before hitting the "send" button, double-check your grammar and spelling. There should be no discussion about particular students or confidential issues. Remember that this email could, in actuality, end up as a legal document.

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Teachers: Ten Tips for Conducting a Successful Parent Conferences
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