Early contact with parents establishes an open line of communication with all of the families. A letter or phone call to all of your students' families before school starts creates a positive first impression. You show the parents that you value their role in the educational process. Sharing information about yourself builds trust with the families. An in-person meeting early in the school year builds a stronger connection. An open-house or parent-teacher conference at the beginning of the year allows for a two-way conversation so the parents can express their concerns and feelings about school.
Getting the parents involved in the classroom gives them a better understanding of your goals and what their children experience. An open-door policy for visiting the classroom builds a level of trust and paves the way for two-way communication. Specific volunteer opportunities may encourage parents to come into the classroom. Working with students, planning parties and chaperoning field trips are examples of opportunities for parents. Special events, such as an open house or school field day, allow parents to understand the child's experience.
The student is the common factor for both home and school, so it makes sense to focus on her needs as a way to make connections. Getting the kids to talk to their parents about what you're doing at school is one idea. To integrate writing, have the students write a note or list each Friday highlighting the week's school events for parents. Family homework assignments are a way to get the child to bridge the gap between home and school. The assignment gets the family talking about topics from school and shows parents a way to participate in the education process. An example is designing a family crest together for a social studies project or writing a family history together with the child.
Parents often associate teacher contact with a learning or behavioral problems. Choosing a variety of reasons and ways to contact parents can help build a positive relationship between home and school. Balance the positive and negative feedback you give parents about their children. Informal conversations about both school and personal matters builds the relationship. Formal meetings, such as conferences, are useful to address specific issues. You can also build links to home with newsletters or emails with general information about what the kids are doing at school.