Home School Communication

(Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities)

The teacher is responsible for providing information frequently to families about the instructional program, their students’ individual progress, as well as offer opportunities to families so they can participate in the learning activities (Domain 4c).

1. Communicating with families is of vital importance to all of us.  It is imperative that we make every effort to keep parents informed of the everyday happenings in our school.

2. Be sure to have a plan for home-to-school communication.  A monthly communication in the form of a newsletter or email (using a blind-copied email distribution list) to families is expected. There should be consistency among the team on the frequency of communication. Please include your administrator and Susan T. on your newsletter email distribution list. 

3. When communicating with parents it is important that we remain positive and honest. Please be sure that you respond to parents as soon as possible.  It is highly recommended that responses to parents be made within 24 hours. There are many ways that we can communicate with parents. Phone calls, notes, email, interims, and conferences. 

1. Phone Calls –  When a parent calls an administrator, we always ask if they have contacted you first.  We will not intervene until they have contacted you or you have contacted them unless it is an urgent matter.

2. Notes – Be mindful of the tone and presentation that your note may take.  

3. Emails – In this technological age, this is a favored method of communication.  Be mindful of the tone and presentation that your email may take. Keep email and its use professional. Think, “Can my administrator defend this email?”

4. Interims - Interims can be sent any time; however, if a student is dropping two grades or receiving a failing grade parents must be notified according to county guidelines. 

   • Remember to find strengths or something positive to start off.

   • Be specific and detailed. 

   • Present an opportunity to have the student be successful.  

   • All interim reports must be approved by your administrator. Send your administrator an email when your interim reports are ready for approval each quarter.   

   • If the interim is not acknowledged by the parent/ guardian, it is the responsibility of the teacher to follow-up on the interim (i.e. phone call).

5. Conferences –All families should be offered a conference. Recent special education, discipline or other meetings do not replace Parent- Teacher Conferences.   

What does the conference look like:

• Identify the student’s strengths and positive attributes.  

• Share grade level data for English Language Arts and Math, as well as share work samples that provide evidence of the student’s performance. 

• Discuss the work habits and learning behaviors of the student. 

• Ask for parent comments or questions about their concerns and views on how things are going. 

• End the conference restating the student’s strengths and positive attributes.  

• Be sure to include other staff as needed (special educator, specialists, interventionists, the guidance counselor, or an administrator).

**Remember Confidentiality – it’s the right thing to do and it’s the law! “