How to Communicate Between Home & School

Parent-teacher communication can benefit students.

When it comes to looking after a child's education and well-being, it is vital that parents and teachers be on the same page. One way to ensure that these two forces in a child's life remain a unified front is to keep the channels of communication between home and school open. Parents and teachers can both play a part in promoting open communication and setting the stage for the student's success.

Instructions

For Parents

1. Take advantage of parent nights. Most schools offer parent nights throughout the course of the year. One of the easiest ways to keep the lines of communication open is to attend these nights whenever they are offered.

2. Meet your child's teacher. At the start of the year, introduce yourself and your child. By forming a friendly relationship with this professional and telling him that you are eager to hear about any concerns he has you can increase the likelihood that he reaches out to you if need be.

3. Ask about best contact methods. Find out from the teacher the best way to reach him. Some teachers prefer parents to call the school during school hours, while others opt for written communication in the form of emails or letters. Try to use the preferred contact method whenever possible, as you are more likely to receive a response if you do so.

4. Reach out whenever you have a concern. Don't wait and allow issues to build. Call or write as soon as an issue presents itself.

5. Speak to the administrative staff if your communication attempts produce no results. Do this only if you feel it's absolutely necessary, as you don't want to create an adversarial relationship with your child's teacher. If your attempts at contact continually go unanswered, you may need to speak to someone in charge at the school. Ask this individual to help you determine where there is a break in the lines of communication between yourself and your child's teacher.

For Teachers

1. Encourage parental involvement with a letter at beginning of the year. Send home a letter to parents on the first day of school telling them how important you feel it is that they be involved in their child's education. Encourage them to contact you whenever they have a concern.

2. Ask parents about best methods of contact. Add a sheet to your letter on which you request parent email addresses, as well as any numbers that may not be in the school database. Ask parents to check a box indicating the best ways to get into contact with them so you can use these contact methods when necessary.

3. Send updates home with your students regularly. Write newsletters to send home with all students, or compose letters for each individual student. Send these home to parents throughout the year.

4. Call or write parents as soon as a concern arises. If a child begins to exhibit behavioral or academic problems, contact the parents immediately using the preferred contact method listed on the beginning-of-the-year document. By doing so, you can ensure that the parent feels informed.

5. Contact parents for both positive and negative things. Don't only call or write parents when there is a problem. Send news home of positive things as well.

References

• Scholastic: Parents Communication Strategies
• Education World: Back-to-School Letters and Survival Kids Build Communication