Training

The Concept of the MRH School to Home Visit Program

The concept behind the MRH School to Home Visit Program is simple.  Teachers and parents come together, in a unique setting, as equal partners, to build trust and form a relationship where they can take the time to share dreams, expectations, experiences, and tools regarding the child’s academic success.  Once a relationship is formed, the partners are empowered and are able to find accountability with each other to make the necessary changes to insure students experience academic and social success.

The research literature indicates that:

• The relationships between teachers and parents/families have a strong impact on each student’s  ability to perform academically.

• Establishing a relationship between a student’s home environment and the school environment is critical for academic success.

When home visits successfully help families feel connected, the parents have an increased sense that teachers really care about their child.  Many children are excited to have their teacher visit their home.  When teachers visit homes, students often feel more important and proud of their families.  Home visits can give teachers the insight they need to help all students succeed.  The insights gained from these visits can change the life of a child.

The benefits of the Home Visit Program include:

• Improved student attendance

• Improved student achievement

• Increasing student test scores

• Improved attitudes about school

• Increased parent and family involvement

• Improved classroom behavior and self-discipline

The First Home Visit

The purpose of the first home visit is to:

• begin the process of establishing connections with the families of our students so our teachers and parents/guardians become co-educators for the school year.

• learn more about students and their families and their needs, interests and concerns.

• begin to have open communication with parents/guardians.

• give parents/guardians the opportunity to share their expectations for the school year and the future of their child.

• give teachers the opportunity to share their expectations for the school year.

• invite parents/guardians to come to the school, specifically for Family Events.

• LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN.

The four main components to an effective home visit:

1.  The Note 

The teacher sends out a letter introducing the program to the parents. 

• the background of the program

• that other parents are also getting a home visit

• you will be contacting them to set up a time to visit

2. The Call  

The family is contacted by phone to set a time for the home visit.

• Introduce yourself.

• State the purpose of your call and the voluntary nature of the program.

• Offer a couple of dates and times you are available.

• Be sure to let the parent know how long the visit will be.

• Inform the parent that someone will accompany you.

• If the parent is resistant to meeting at home, please offer an alternate location (ie: local library, restaurant, park or community center).

• Confirm the family’s address and phone number(s).

• Call to remind family of your visit on the day you plan to go.

3.  The Visit

The visit usually lasts about 40 minutes and is conducted by a team of two people. 

4.  The Follow-Up                            

After the visit is the time for paperwork and a follow-up thank you. 

The Visit

Re-introduce yourself and your colleague.

I am Ms. Fong, Ruby’s teacher.  This is Mr. Fisher, he is the other second grade teacher at our school and also teaches some subjects to Ruby.  Thank you so much for letting us come.

Re-state the purpose of your visit.

Most of the teachers at our school are doing home visits.  We want to get to know you better and let you know that we care about Ruby.  We want to work together to insure Ruby has a successful year.

Ask “getting-to-know-you” questions. 

• Tell us about your child.  What does your child like to do?

• What would you like us to know about your child and his/her personality?

• What are your hopes, dreams, goals, and concerns for your child?  If we came back in 20 years, what would you want your child to be doing?

• What are your expectations of MRH Schools and of us as teachers?

• Is there anything the faculty/staff of our school can do to help your family?

• Do you have any questions/concerns for us?

Invite the parent to the classroom or to a school event. 

Listen

Listen.

Listen to what the parent has to say!

Show respect for the parent’s role and capacity to be involved in the student’s education and life.

Close the meeting.

Thank the parent for his/her time.

Stress that you appreciate the time together and that you will stay in regular contact.  (List how you will contact the parent during the year, for example, regular notes home, classroom newsletter, phone calls about positive things as well as concerns, regular invitations to the classroom, parent-teacher conferences, etc.)

Offer the parent a way to contact you. 

I want to give you my home/cell/school number so that you can contact me if your child misses school or if you have anything you’d like to talk to me about.  Is it okay if I get backing touch with you at some point to maybe come by for another visit?  

Let them know that they are always welcome to come and observe in your classroom, to volunteer or to participate at school in a number of ways.

Sample Resource Provided by the Middle School

Evaluate the Home Visit

After leaving the home, stop somewhere to fill out the Home Visit Report Form with your partner. 

You may want to stop in a parking lot (away from the home) or complete the form over a cup of coffee.  Just be sure to do it while the visit is fresh in your mind.

Record key points that you learned about the child and the family.  

Record your observations.

Make notes about anything you want to remind yourself to do as a result of this visit.

Step 4 - Follow-Up 

The follow-up after a home visit can continue to build that strong relationship you will want with your student’s family.  The follow-up also will give you credibility as someone who sincerely wants to have good communication between the school and family. 

After completing the home visit, be sure to send a thank you note to the student’s family.  You may also want to send a “Save the Date” postcard inviting them to the next Family Event.

Take time to review the answers to your home visit questions (or go back and elaborate on the notes).  You may wish to keep a journal of visits with pertinent information or helpful reminders about this specific family.

Some other ways to follow-up with the family may include:

• checking with the liaison for help with a specific student or family need.

• researching the answer to a question and getting back to the parent as soon as possible.

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