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Parent and Family Communication

Classroom Setup, Routines & Procedures, Teacher Support

Written by: Angie Olson

Parent communication is crucial and should be a top priority to keep families informed about their child’s learning. A positive home-to-school relationship starts with open communication. Here’s how I build strong connections with parents each year.

At our school’s open house, I focus on making families feel comfortable with a handshake, smile, and active listening. I emphasize that parents are always welcome to reach out, though my priority during the school day is student learning.

To reach all families, I use different tools—emails, BEE binders, and newsletters—knowing that everyone prefers different communication methods.

So, here are the variety of ways that I communicate with parents. I hope you can pick up a tip to use for your own classroom!

Parent Newsletters

First up, parent newsletters. Yes, these are my least favorite things to put together but they are important. I have tried to streamline this process by making myself a template so that I can quickly get to the point and enter in my information. Here is an example of what one of my newsletters look like (see below). I try to send home newsletters on a monthly basis.

Below, you can download an editable newsletter template already made for you.

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Video Newsletters

Next up, is our video newsletter! It has been a life changer! I started having my students do a video newsletter this year and the positive response has been overwhelming.

Here's how it works. Before filming, my students give me a list of topics that they feel we need to include in our video newsletter. This can be learning targets we have covered, projects we have done, assemblies/field trips, important dates, homework reminders, birthday announcements, etc. Once I have my list, I set aside a 45-min time (once a month) to do the filming. The kids come out, I tell them a line or two that I need them to say. They practice it a few times and then we film. They know that if they make a mistake, it can be redone as many times as necessary. At the beginning of the year, the video is very serious because they are NERVOUS! They get more comfortable every month that goes by and this past newsletter was my favorite because their personalities really shine through. I film it on my iPad and then export it into iMovie. From iMove it is put into YouTube and then I email it out to parents.

BEE Binders

Another method of communication is through our BEE binders. BEE stands for Bring Everything Everyday. Basically, each child brings a 3-ring binder at the beginning of the school year. Inside of this binder there is a zipper pouch (for book order money or lunch money), folder, planner, and a few page protectors for a class list, schedule, and spelling ideas.

This BEE binder goes home and back to school every day. Every Monday my students write their week's important events into their planner along with their spelling words. The parents check this every night and initial it. Their child's nightly reading homework minutes are also recorded into the BEE binder.

If the parents have an important note or question for me, they write it in the BEE binder. My para checks their BEE binders every morning and gives them a puppy stamp once it is checked.

BEE binders have DECREASED THE AMOUNT OF lost assignments, parents not knowing what's going on, and unorganized students. I love them.

Class Dojo

In my classroom, we use Class Dojo as our main method of classroom management. If you are not familiar with Class Dojo you can check it out HERE. It is web-based and FREE. Basically, students are given a dojo point for positive behavior and can lose points for poor choices. Our points collect all month and the top dojo point winner will receive a certificate and prize.

The points are reset at the end of every month. I like Class Dojo for many reasons but one feature that I have found to be helpful is the parent communication component. My families are able to log on and check out how their child has been behaving in school by checking their dojo points. They are also able to send me a private message through Class Dojo if they have any questions or concerns. It works well for my class.

Variety of Awards

Our team has also put together a HUGE collection of editable classroom awards good for the end of year or anytime! Download those below.

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Blog

Lastly, I use this blog as a means of storing all of the archives of our newsletters (both written and video). If you click on the families tab at the top of this blog, it will take you to my family communication page. If anything, I can never have a parent tell me that they didn't know that something was happening in our classroom because there were plenty of opportunities for them to be aware.

Conferences

For all kinds of organizational tips and tricks when it comes to conferencing with families, head to THIS post!

I mentioned earlier that I use a variety of means to connect with my families. I know that some of you are probably thinking, why do you put yourself through so much work? Yes, I understand that this takes more time and effort to cover all of my bases and provide several means of communication but to me, it's worth it. Families deserve to know what is going on at school and let's face it, families are busier than ever so if I can make their life easier and try extra hard to reach them, they tend to invest more in their child's education and provide that extra support.

11 Comments

Mrs 3rd Grade on May 2, 2015 at 2:57 pm

I love your idea of a video newsletter! Thank you Kayla! 🙂 I love this idea for next year, and will have to figure out how I can use it too! It would be a great recap of the month too! Thanks for amazing ideas!

Mrs. 3rd Grade
Reply
- Angie Olson on May 3, 2015 at 6:30 pm
  
  Thanks for reading and for your feedback! I can't wait to watch your video newsletters next year! 🙂
  Reply
Kathie @Tried and True Teaching Tools on May 2, 2015 at 3:04 pm

Oh my gosh, I LOVE the video newsletter!!! I love that you have the kids brainstorm and come up with topics! That's on my list for next year!! I do hard copy newsletters, as well on my website. Thank you, Angie, for organizing this linky party!!
Reply
- Angie Olson on May 3, 2015 at 6:31 pm
  
  Thanks for linking up and reading Kathie! I look forward to watching your video newsletters next year! So much fun!!!
  Reply
Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd on May 2, 2015 at 5:53 pm

LOVE LOVE LOVE the video newsletter. You amaze me. You really do DO IT ALL. I'm so glad to have you as a bestie. Wish you lived closer and could teach with me!! <3 Great post, as always, friend!!

Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd
Reply
- Angie Olson on May 3, 2015 at 6:29 pm
  
  Oh sweet, sweet, sweet friend of mine! Your words always find a way of making my face smile! Thanks you for your kind words. I really wish we lived closer too! We would make an amazing team! #isitjulyyet #weneedanotherrambledate
  Reply
Rene Machjewski on May 3, 2015 at 2:38 pm

I am loving those planners! Did I miss where you wrote about those before? Can you tell more about them? They look purchased or did you make those? thanks
Reply
- Angie Olson on May 3, 2015 at 6:28 pm
  
  Thanks Rene! The planners are from School Specialty and we order them for our entire grade level. The one we use is called the Classic Planner. Hope that helps! 🙂
  Reply
Julie Herrmann on May 5, 2015 at 5:15 am

I really like the look of these planners. Our school orders a different kind that I'm not as fond of so I opted out. I'll have to check out the Classic Planner by School Speciality. Thanks for the tips! Teacher Ms H ~ Third Is the Word
Reply
Teaching Little Miracles on May 10, 2015 at 8:59 pm

Thanks for the linky! I really like your video newsletter idea and I'm sure students and parents would love it!

Crystal
Teaching Little Miracles
Reply
Diana Simental on July 10, 2015 at 3:15 pm

Love the idea of the video newsletter! What a great way to use tech in the classroom. I need an iPad now. ?
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Hey there! I’m Angie, owner of Lucky Little Learners. Our #1 goal is to support K-2 teachers. We provide unlimited access to over 20,000 printables that are aligned to your standards.