Back to School Communication Tips

How can teachers communicate?
Blogs – email – phone call – agenda – communication book – website – phone out – note – apps – text – meeting or interview

Good new comes in writing – bad news comes in person.  

You should know exactly how you will be kept in touch with – this information should come home by the end of the first week of school 

What should happen daily?
Is there a physical journal?  Take the time to sign and every so often – write a thank you or an encouraging word in it.  
How is homework communicated?  Make sure you know how to access the blog or website and that you and your child take 5 minutes at night to check it  – if there is a place for comments on work or a reply about something that is needed at the school – do it.  
Children who are struggling in ANY way can have a daily communication book – there are lots of ways that this can be set up.  

What should happen weekly?
– some teachers send a weekly update – this is helpful – but, you will find it is rare
– reminders should appear on the blog or website at least once a week
-you should see a sample of your child’s reading progress, writing and math AT LEAST once a week 
-you are encouraged to keep a log (use photos) of contacts with your child’s teacher – don’t rely on the agenda (they get lost) – take a picture of everything that comes home and keep it in a file
-if the teacher sends home something that requires a decision – it is perfectly OK to take some time to think, ask questions – and schedule a meeting or phone call to review or ask questions – you should not feel pressure to make an important decision on the spot
-building trust comes from regular communication – if you feel you are not getting information from your child’s teacher it is perfectly OK to ask for more or to ask questions about your child’s progress at ANY time – especially if you are taking the time to ask your child questions and spend time talking about how school is going 

What should happen monthly?
A newsletter outlining curriculum – upcoming events and due dates and other important information 
You should see a portfolio or rubrics come home for completed units or assignments.  
A monthly phone call – initiated by you or the teacher is important – you can take the time to thank your teacher or offer to assist in some way
Photographs should appear on line of class activities or students working on projects or completed assignments – parents can send photographs to the teacher of their child playing soccer or skating or…etc. 
Student self assessment on learning skills should occur AT LEAST once per month 

When should you call your child’s teacher?
You see your child struggling with reading, writing or math, and other areas of learning.
Your child seems to have trouble with focus or self-control.
You see your child having trouble doing things other kids seem to do easily.
Your child is suddenly behaving differently.
Your child’s grades or test scores are slipping.
Your child doesn’t seem motivated or confident.
Your child doesn’t want to go to school (in-person or virtually).
Your child often gets angry or frustrated.
Your child often feels sick before school or complains of stomach aches and headaches.
Your child isn’t catching up, even with extra support at school.
Your child has a hard time finishing homework.
You think other kids are bullying your child or that your child is bullying other kids.

TELL YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER ABOUT: 
Health conditions: If your child is diabetic, uses an inhaler, is allergic to peanuts, or has a serious health condition, her teacher should know. It’s also helpful to let the teacher know whether your child has been diagnosed with conditions like ADHD, which may affect behavior and concentration.
Family issues: Fill in the teacher if your family is going through a major change that could affect your child, such as a divorce, a death in the family or a move. Even if your child seems to have adjusted well, alert teachers so they can watch for behavioral changes.
Personality traits or behavior issues: Maybe your son is painfully shy and is worried about making friends at a new school. Or perhaps your kindergartner has been having tantrums at home and you’re concerned she’ll do the same at school. It’s best to make teachers aware of these issues before they become a problem at school.
Strengths and weaknesses: Your daughter is a star student in math but is embarrassed to read aloud. Your son loves language arts but struggles with science. If you tell teachers these things up front, they’ll have more time to help your children improve in the areas they need it most.
Learning style: You’ve spent years teaching your kids, from potty training to tying shoelaces, so you have a good idea of their learning styles. If your child learns better through hands-on activities than through listening to explanations, mention that to his teacher. Also share any teaching strategies that you’ve found work well with your child.
Study habits: Does your son speed through math homework but labor over reading assignments? Do your daughter’s grades suffer because she spends so much time at skating lessons? Tell teachers about your children’s study habits and any issues they face in completing the work. Teachers often can offer suggestions to make homework time go more smoothly.
Special interests: Knowing more about your child’s hobbies or interests can help the teacher forge connections in the classroom. Let the teacher know that your young son loves a particular comic book superhero and that your middle school daughter is a gifted painter.

How do you know if you are expecting too much?
Ask yourself some questions:
Am I expecting my child to be age-appropriately responsible?
Am I listening with an open mind to both sides of the story?
Is my child getting enough sleep and do the routines at home support school?
Do I allow the teacher to have a reasonable, balanced home life – not going crazy at night and sending an email that you expect answered at 11 p.m.??
Do I really know my child and do I accept their strengths and weaknesses? 
Am I willing to do my part – reading and writing and ensuring that health or behaviour concerns are addressed?
Do I believe – without question – everything my child says about school or do I wait to see if there is another perspective?

How can you be the best partner your child’s teacher has ever had?

Show respect by always approaching the teacher first with any problem.
Empower your child and give them age-appropriate strategies for independent problem solving.
Don’t gossip and always keep an open mind.
Always show gratitude and always ask before sending in “stuff” – especially food.
Be positive and approach issues with a “how can I help attitude”.  
Understand what is going on at school by reading, staying informed and attending school meetings and events. 
Look for ways to promote your school in the community and offer added value to school life. 
Accept and embrace at home learning and work on ways to enhance your child’s ability to be the best version of themselves.  

Ten Ways to Build Trust Through Communication
1. Communicate with transparency. Have no hidden agenda.
2. Behave consistently. Emotional ups and downs cause people to doubt you.
3. Show sincere interest in others’ aspirations and goals. Ask questions and listen.
4. Take responsibility. No excuses, no justifications. If you mess up, fess up.
5. Communicate respectfully at all times. No yelling, no gossiping, no belittling comments, no embarrassing others.
6. Clarify, emotionally and mentally, how you expect to be treated. We teach others how to treat us by the way we treat ourselves.
7. Under-promise and over-deliver. Do what you say you will do, and keep your word; if the unexpected arises, renegotiate.
8. Tell the truth, quickly, with compassion. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
9.  Focus on intentionally seeing the best in the other person. People want to be around others who make them feel good about themselves.
10. Ask for and receive feedback. Ask sincerely and openly, and respond respectfully.