Although the ability of families to participate in their child’s learning varies widely because of other family or job obligations, it is the responsibility of teachers to provide opportunities for them to understand both the instructional program and their child’s progress. Teachers establish relationships with families by communicating to them about the instructional program, conferring with them about individual students, and inviting them to be part of the educational process itself. The level of family participation and involvement tends to be greater at the elementary level, when young children are just beginning school. However, the importance of regular communication with families of adolescents cannot be overstated. A teacher’s effort to communicate with families conveys the teacher’s essential caring, valued by families of students of all ages.
Danielson, C. 2013
This permission slip holds the valuable information needed to inform and request permission from a parent/guardian for a field trip. Although this is a simple artifact, it is necessary to provide opportunities for parent involvement or a chance to comment (see the bottom of the document).
This introduction has been and will be sent out with a formal letter to all parents/guardians of my students. I hope to create a fun, exciting, and professional communication between families and continue to have this form of communication throughout the year.
In addition to the letter I will send out in the beginning of the year, I plan to include an invitation for parents/families to support learning at home. This will include my direction to help guide them (like books to read with their child, how to help complete an assignment, keeping them informed, etc.).