Parent Teacher Communication
It is my experience that students do better in school when teachers and parents are in communication and parents become involved in their child's education. I use a variety of methods to keep parents informed and involved. Initially, I send home a packet of information stating my classroom expectations, rules and day to day activities. I follow up with a classroom open house to reiterate student (and parent) expectations. In the past, I have sent home weekly newsletters for homework and other information, along with a daily behavior calendar. Besides the typical forms of communicating with parents (telephone, notes, meetings), I will now add blogging and email as part of my parent communication. I make it a practice to try and call at least one parent a week to discuss their child's progress. It's important to me to keep in communication with parents in a positive manner and encourage them to become partners in their child's education.