Parent Communication
In my future classroom I plan to communicate with parents in order to best promote student learning and assist students within and outside of the classroom and school building. Successful communication with parents or guardians is critical as it improves academic performance of students and provides a place of community. When this communication takes place not only do parents have the opportunity to be more involved in their children’s lives within the classroom and school but the overall academic benefits of parent to teacher communication supports and aids in student learning.
Communication with families can lead to many positive benefits including; higher academic achievement and improved attendance as well as a decrease in disruptive behaviors. Family members are invaluable partners for teachers to build relationships with students and with students' most fervent advocates. As stated by Maslow (1943) basic human needs must be met for significant learning to occur and these areas include physiological needs, safety, love, and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization. All in which are important with partnering with families and students communities in order for significant learning to occur. Overall, parent to teacher communication is only created with students first and foremost to ensure they are reaching their full potential and getting the support and resources they need in order to succeed, and this starts with effective communication between teachers and students' families.
Weekly Emails
Emails will be sent out weekly with information and updates for the upcoming week. In this email, it will include content that will be covered and any important school related information upcoming or holidays/days off. So when students come home from school, parents will know what was covered in school and be able to ask specific questions about what their child is learning, if they choose.
Weekly Folders
With weekly folders I will be sending home important information in the form of assignments that have been completed, graded work, papers from the school office or any additional information or communication I want to send home with students to parents directly. This will be weekly and on the same day each week, with a signature needed.
Remind 101
I plan to use are Remind101 in order to send quick text messages home to parents such as reminders for the next day or an important test or to make sure to sign a permission slip form, etc. I will also use Remind101 in order to text parents and allow parents to text me. Communicating about good behavior and not so good behavior, but being available for messages, questions and concerns from parents as well via text message.
Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
Communicating each semester by having in-person and virtual (if needed) parent-teacher conferences to communicate on students growth, academic progress and how the semester has been progressing for their (child/student).
Phone Calls
I will also be available for communication with parents/guardians via phone calls during scheduled times.
Daily Agendas
With agendas, we will be writing down our homework assignments or tasks to be completed each night and for the week with the opportunity for parents to sign students completed work and provide messages to the teacher, if text/phone call is not preferred.
Student Extracurriculars
I also plan to attend at least one sporting event or outside of school activity in order to build and foster relationships with students and families, and this will be another related area of communication between me and parents and guardians. Please send me your child's sports or extracurricular activities and schedules. I will be happy to attend!