Create a simple website, maybe through the school's own web page, where you can list important updates, assignments and communications to parents. Tell the parents about the website at open house and instruct the students to inform parents about the website. Connecting the website through the main school website is ideal and makes it easy for parents to find it. Include contact information, office hours, if applicable and a syllabus for each of your classes.
When communicating with parents using an email strategy, you must never include sensitive information. Emailing about student problems is inappropriate. Email should be reserved for confirmation of appointments, to schedule appointments and as an additional means of informing parents about upcoming projects and activities. Parents are often just as busy as the children and need to be reminded of events. When sending email, keep it brief and avoid writing long emails that can potentially be misinterpreted.
The phone is still one of the best ways strategies to communicate with parents. When talking to parents on the phone, try to keep your conversation to just two or three points about the child. Write these points down on a piece of paper so that you don't get sidetracked and keep the conversation about the child brief. If a phone call is going to last more than five to 10 minutes, request that the parent come in for a parent-teacher conference to discuss the child face-to-face.
Notices are written notices that the child must take home and present to his parents. This strategy is only effective if the letter reaches the parent. To ensure that the letter has made it to the parent include a second sheet, or a tear off strip that the parent must sign and return to you with the child. If you have problems receiving returned letters, make it a portion of the students participation grade. Generally notices should be used for disciplinary action, materials needed for class and classroom rules and behavior policies. You can also use a notice as a reward for a student that has done well.