Communication with Home
One of the most difficult, but most effective and rewarding parts of high school advisory is the consistent contact with home over an extended period of time. Students will stay with their advisors throughout their high school years, so that will be an important aspect of their high school experience. Parents that are very active in elementary school often feel disconnected in high school. This is a great way to get them reconnected.
Contact home for all your advisees within the first two weeks.
In this call you should :
*Introduce yourself or if you already know the parent, explain your new role
as a communication link, an advocate, a personal advisor and an academic advisor
* Establish guidelines about when and how it’s best to contact them and the same for them to contact you
* Ask them about their views on their child, special strengths, needs, etc.
* See if they have any questions about the program
Sample script :
Good Afternoon, This is ___________________. I’m Susie’s high school advisor while she’s at TVHS. In this role, I will be a primary communication link between the school and home. I will also act as a personal and academic advisor to help her through her high school experience at TVHS. In this role I will be aware of her goals and academic standing and I will help to achieve those goals. Advisory will meet twice a week for 35 minutes throughout the year. I will also be an advocate for Susie if she needs an advocate for an academic or disciplinary issue.
How and when do you prefer that I contact you ?
I’m really looking forward to getting to know Susie. Do have any particular information that I should know about Susie...any special strengths ? any special needs ?
Do you have any questions about the advisory program ?
Thank you for taking the time to help me get to know Susie.
If you have students whose parents do not speak English, contacting the multi-lingual liaison and making contact through them may be your best option.