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Start Off Right With Positive Parent Communication

Planning for Parent Communication - Get a free parent contact log and tips for starting the year off with positive communication.

Okay, let’s talk about parent communication. Parent communication is one of those things that can make or break your year. Yes, it’s that important.

While most veteran teachers can think of an unreasonably difficult parent or two, fortunately difficult parents are few and far between. Most parents want to like you. They want to be on the same team. It’s important to build on that. So, what can we as teachers do to build rapport and establish a positive relationship?

Keep it Positive

  • Reach out and make positive contact. At the schools I’ve worked at we weren’t allowed to reveal our class roster until Sneak-a-Peek.  Since that was my first opportunity, I always tried to make it a positive event. I usually got to meet most of my students and their parents, but I always had some who couldn’t make it. I’d make an effort to call the parents who couldn’t make it. I’d introduce myself and let them know I was excited about working with their child.
  • Find the good in each child. During the first week of school I would make an effort to call each parent with something positive about their child. I’d also use it as an opportunity to establish the line of communication and ask if the parents had any questions. Usually they didn’t yet, but I would let them know how to contact me if they did think of any later.

Be Organized

  • Be consistent.  There are certain hard copy papers that you are likely to be responsible for getting parents to fill out. There are others that just need sent home. Set up a system early. It’s much easier for parents to stay on top of their end if you have a system in place. A weekly or daily folder works well for this. Most parents will look if they know when and where to find papers.
  • Organize the paperwork. Once you get papers back you’ll need to keep track of them. I find it helpful to print off a bunch of copies of my class roster at the start of the year on colored paper. I punch holes in them and put them in a binder. As I send home forms that will be coming back I label a roster sheet with the form name. I add a blank copy behind the roster in case I need to send second copies home. As the forms are returned, I highlight the student’s name and put their sheet behind the roster. That way it’s easy to tell who has and hasn’t returned things at a glance. I can run extra copies, remind students, and call parents easily. Plus, nothing gets lost.Grab this free parent contact log and check out the tips for establishing positive parent communication.

Document It

  • Documentation helps you remember. People have short term memories. We don’t always remember what was said. Sometimes people remember conversations differently. Keeping a record will help you to remember exactly what was discussed later. It can also help you to remember to follow up on concerns. Both phone calls and hallway conversations should also be documented.
  • Documentation protects you. It’s a CYA thing. The records can help you if a question comes up too. I once had a parent complain that they hadn’t been told about an upcoming meeting. When I was asked about it I simply pulled out the record log of our conversation, the email reminder I had sent, and the note the notification form they had signed.

Think Before You Send

  • Respect parents’ privacy. An email list can be great for easy communication, but not all parents are okay with the whole class seeing their e-mail address. At one school I worked at we had parents in direct sales using the PTA emails to build marketing lists. Use the BCC feature.
  • Think about the topic. Email isn’t the best form of communication for all things. Email doesn’t convey tone well. It also doesn’t allow for immediate clarification. If you need to have a conversation with a parent about topics like behavior, discipline, failing grades, learning difficulties, or other potentially difficult topics email is not the way to go. Call or set up an in-person meeting.
  • Email is on the record. If you wouldn’t say it in front of your superintendent don’t email it. Deleting emails doesn’t mean they are gone. They’re still there somewhere. Think before you send jokes or vent. Keep it clean, positive, and professional.
  • It’s never really private. Email is subject to open records requests. The can be printed. They can be forwarded. Don’t use email to vent. Don’t say something on email about someone you wouldn’t say to them. Emails never really disappear and they aren’t really private either. Think before you hit send and if you’re irritated wait first.

Dealing with parents can be one of the most challenging parts of teaching, but establishing a good rapport with your parents can also be one of the most rewarding parts. The beginning of the year gives us an incredible opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the year. Keeping communication positive, organized, documented, and professional will go a long way in making your year go well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What tips do you have?

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