Today's parents are known as "Generation X". Here are a few characteristics of Generation X:
- They have grown up hearing about "failing schools".
- They don't trust institutions to always do what is right; they don't trust that their children are always safe at school.
- They expect to communicate instantly with you.
- They expect a well designed web site with information on ways they can help their children succeed.
- They expect to hear about school problems immediately--along with what is being done about them.
- They value their time very highly and don't want it wasted with school activities that don't directly involve them or their child.
- Standardize one design and stick with it. Two or three columns are often easier to read than a single wide one.
- Use an attractive newsletter nameplate to reflect the professionalism of your school or class.
- Use simple, plain language and limit the newsletter to one sheet of paper.
42 comments:
For me, the best communication this year has been our class Instagram account. I create text images for parents to read. We also snap pics throughout our day to show parents what we're working on. The feedback has been very positive and parents enjoy being notified via their cell phone when there is an important reminder.
I feel that my student-led conferences went much better this year. Parents felt open to communicate about their child's progress in this atmosphere. They liked seeing their child as a leader. I also communicate using email with parents who want a quick response.
I think the newsletter, along with the homework that goes home each week communicates to parents what their child is learning in the classroom and what they can work with them on at home. Then parents can communicate through their child's folder or email if their is something they don't understand or need help with.
I think Tuesday folders and Mondays newsletter/homework works best for my class because the parents are expecting it every Monday and Tuesday. Email works best for a quick response and Remind101.
My three favorite parent communication tools are Remind101, student planners and the "old fashion" phone call. While parents seem to pay attention you newsletters in the lower grades, many times these informative pieces of paper that I have spent so much of my time creating just come right back to me in Tuesdays folders. However, they really seem to respond to short text messages that I send 2 - 3 times per week. Many of my students have signed up for this free service and enjoy getting reminders from me, too! The planners are fantastic - we use them DAILY! I can't remember the last time I had a parent say "I wish I had known about that test.... I had no idea my child needed ________, etc." Lastly, I have gone back to making phone calls this year, especially to compliment children on great behavior and/or improvements! I can sense the pride parents feel when they realize someone else notices their child being successful.
Email and text messages are working best for me. I love Remind 101, but only about half of my class signed up for it.
I think that my newsletter, homework/graded papers, and student-led conferences are all necessary and contingent upon the other. When used together, everything comes full circle, and parents are able to get a direct indication of their child's progress. The newsletter and homework show what content will be covered during the week. On the other hand, the graded papers give a snapshot of what their child has mastered or hasn't mastered. The student led conferences , finally, gives the student an opportunity to provide their voice. By doing this, it helps parents stay involved.
The feedback that I have received from Remind 101 has been very positive. Everyone carries their phone and this is an instant reminder for parents who have signed up. I plan to send another reminder for parents to join and I believe this will be most beneficial in the future.
I love Remind 101 but less than half of my class signed up. I will send forms home again for parents to join this nine weeks. I think that student led conferences have been the best form of communication with my parents this year. The parents are able to discuss anything that concerns them. This has allowed several parents to assist more with the success of their child.
Out of all the various ways we provide information to parents, the one I feel promotes the most effective communication or feedback is the "Student Led Conference". After meeting with their child, parents were able to immediately talk to me to clarify or find out additional information in areas that they recognized their child needed help in.
Monique Chatman said... I love parent teacher conferences. It gives me the opportunity to immediately answer questions parents might have regarding their child. It also helps me to build a relationship with that parent. I use my professional aura, a smile, and a "we're in this together" attitude to create a positive relationship with them. However; due to busy schedules sometimes it's easier to simply send home a letter or pick up the phone.
I had 68% of my parents to come in for student led conferences. I believe that it is vital for them to hear and see that their child has set goals for themselves to be successful in their education.
Heather Stewart said...
As a parent, I really like the Remind 101- group texting service between teacher and parents.
As a teacher, I use email, communication notebooks, and some parents prefer to be contacted by phone.
I communicate with my parent through newsletters and homework. Both of these keeps parents informed about what their child is learning. I also use email and text to remind parents of important upcoming events .
Using Remind101 has been a great venue for me to get important information to the parents. I have also used it to receive feedback by placing my email address in a message so that I can further address any questions or concerns. I noticed that several had mentioned that only about half of their parents signed up. I had the same issue when I first sent out the letter. To correct this I sent out the printed "invite" letter, had the parents sign it, and offered a reward to the students whose parents signed up. I made sure that I PROMISED the parents that I WOULD NOT be sending "white noise" text messages. Those communications that become so numerous that they become meaningless.
This is a unique group of students we have now that are known as Generation Z. Generation Z is the generation of children born after the Year 2000. They are the children of Generation X and Generation Y. To be fair we don’t know a whole lot about the character traits of Generation Z, because they haven’t been on the earth for very long yet. Generation Z are predicted to be highly connected, living in an age of high-tech communication, technology driven lifestyles and prolific use of social media. A lot of what we think we know about Generation Z is inferred, and only time will tell whether we have been correct.
Sincerely, A member of the "Boomer" generation with a war cry of "BOOMER SOONER!"
This year has been the first year that I have used the website Artsonia. It gives parents an opportunity to make an account for themselves and their child to keep up to date with projects that are posted. It sends parents emails when new artwork is posted and they can comment on the artwork and give feedback. It's been really exciting seeing how many comments have been posted and what positive and encouraging words parents and friends are saying about the students' work.
I feel that the newsletter and homework that goes home each week communicates to parents what their child is learning in the classroom. I also communicate with my parents through daily folders, email, and text messages.
I communicate with my parents via daily binder with conduct, monthly newsletter, weekly homework, email, phone calls, parent conferences, and this year I have also used text as a form of communication.
The parent-teacher communication section of my Leadership notebooks, text messages, and phone calls have been the best forms of communication for me this year. These forms of communication also provide me with the most immediate and helpful feedback.
I feel that the best form of communication for me has been the daily folder. I also use Remind 101, email, phone calls and text messages.
In my opinion, the most important outreach to parents has been having open communication in a variety of ways. For instance, I use email, weekly newsletters, Tuesday Folders, parent and student-led conferences, phone calls, Remind 101, and Leadership Binders to keep parents informed.
I believe our daily folders keep parents informed as to their child's behavior, important events, and current work samples. We also provide the parents with weekly homework. Email is also helpful, especially if a parent needs an immediate response.
The best form of communication this year has been my parent-teacher communication section of The Leadership Notebook. I also use email, remind101, phone calls, student-led conferences, Tuesday folders, and a weekly newsletter to relay information to parents.
For my class, I feel the best way to communicate is the weekly newsletter and Tuesday folder. Every Monday you will recieve a newsletter/homework for the week. This newsletter contains important dates, and also the content I am teaching for the week. If the students study the homework, they will do great on the test. Also, the Tuesday folder is a great way to see your child's grades and progress.
Michel Haney said that communication methods need to be carefully planned and communicated to all involved. In my class, the weekly newsletters and student led conferences are good forms of communication. I also think some of my best communication was spontaneous via phone call or in-person!
Of all the ways I communicate with parents, I believe student led conferences to be the most beneficial. These conferences allow students to take ownership of their academic achievements and goals. The conferences also provide parents with an opportunity to visit the classroom and see learning in action.
For me, the best way I communicate with parents is through e'mail. I also occasionally send home informational letters regarding upcoming trips or performances.
Student binders helps me communicate with parents on a daily basis. I normally don't have a lot of parents that communicate with me through email, but I always find that it is one of the best forms of "quick communication". For parents that do email me, it ends up being a form of communication that is used all year long - and often.
I agree that the Weekly Newsletter is a tool that most parents use to help their child and stay in tune with our classroom activities. Anything that is needed for our classroom is added as needs and seems to be observed by most parents. Student-led conferences have been very beneficial in bringing out academic needs for the individual student . Being able to address these concerns with both student and parent help both understand the importance and allows us to find solutions as a team.
In my opinion, my second grade newsletter keeps parents informed weekly of all activities and lessons going on in the classroom. I also use email, remind 101, Tuesday Test Folders, Leadership binders, and student-led conferences.
The best way that I communicate with my parents is through weekly newsletters and Moodle. We also use Tuesday folders to send home grades and conduct for each week. Our newsletters contain upcoming events as well as information about what is happening in our classroom each week. Our Moodle page does this as well.
Student-Led Conferences have been the best two-way communication tool used this year in my classroom. Parents are viewing their child's progress from a different perspective and actually learning more about their child in the process. Hearing this information from someone other than myself (the teacher) has strengthened parent/teacher relationships as it is understood that success stems from shared efforts at home and school.
The best parent communication for me has been through Weekly Newsletters and Tuesday Folders. Parents anticipate both on these things coming home each week. The Newsletter has all important reminders and dates for parents to know. Tuesday folders help inform parents of grades, conduct and any other comments I need to send home. Having a school-wide Tuesday folder policy really helps parents expect these every Tuesday from year to year.
The best parent communication for me has been through Remind 101. I now have 100% of my parents involved through this phone text. I also try to communicate through planners and weekly newsletters as well as Tuesday Folders. Tuesday folders help inform parents of grades, conduct and any other comments I need to send home.
I use email, text messages, and a monthly news letter. I love it when I hear "my mom puts my newsletter on our refrigerator." That lets me know they are getting some support at home. I think parents do like the text also, they usually get immediate feed back from me.
While I communicate with my parents through a weekly note, weekly folders, and Remind 101, the two way communication that is so necessary has happened best when parents have come to the school and we talk face-to-face. These opportunities for parents to come to school must be planned and encouraged by the school and the teachers. The student-led conferences that we have twice a year at our school are a good example. After the student shares their data and their goals, that usually creates questions that the parents have and want to talk to the teacher about. I have also had good conversation with parents during PBL projects when the parents are invited in, and Grandparents Day. I do have several students being raised by grandparents. A few years ago we held an AMSTI night at school. Parents came in and worked with ttheir child on AMSTI math and science activities to see how their children were learning without the use of a textbook. This would be a good thing to do again.
Allison Miles
Gina Fincher said . . . I provide each students parent with my personal cell and home number. This has been very effective for communication for parents to provide important information that I would need to know immediately. A communication notebook is also sent on a daily basis informing parents of child's progress, upcoming events, and what their child worked on.
My communication tools are Remind 101 and a daily Pride Planner.
I communicate with parents by using PRIDE Planners, Remind 101, and Weekly Newsletters.
Anna Munroe said...I use communication notebooks with several of my resource students. I write down what the student does in the Resource room on a daily basis, skills covered, and any concerns. Parents can write back and let me know how the student is doing at home or any changes. I also utilize student planner and make phone calls to parents.
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