j.+Parental+Communication+and+Involvement

As an educator, building good relationships with parents and increasing parental involvement is a fundamental responsibility and important to improve student learning. Research clearly indicates that when parents are involved in a positive manner in school, children perform better and stay in school longer. Most parents are looking for answers to these questions: · What is my child expected to learn this year? · How is my child progressing with his/her learning plan? · How can I help my child succeed? · Is my child safe at school? Consider these questions when writing newsletters and planning your school/community nights. Your efforts, in conjunction with those of all staff, will help improve parent / school communication and minimize the time you would spend answering the same questions over and over again. The task of building a maintaining a strong parent support base isn’t complex. Communicating effectively with parents implies being proactive and adaptable to practices that make good sense. Consider the following: · ** Visibility is everything. ** The three cardinal rules of real estate value are location, location, location. In schools this could be translated into visibility, visibility, visibility. Most parents prefer face-to-face interaction. Try to be visible before and after school, at lunch and at school activities (such as sporting events, concerts, parent/teacher interviews and science fairs) to greet parents, answer questions and listen to concerns. · ** Listening is an important way to communicate **. Often parents just want to know that someone is listening to their concerns. Coaching teachers to be good listeners is equally important to creating a climate of conciliation and understanding. · ** Certain topics are considered off limits. ** Parents occasionally need reminding that it is not appropriate to discuss issues that reference any other child. How another child was disciplined; what difficulties other students are having; and personal health information is confidential. Parents appreciate the same confidentiality is afforded their own child.  · ** Student achievement is celebrated ****. ** When teachers and support staff recognize student efforts and achievements by way of telephone calls, emails, meetings, or notes, they leave powerful messages. The communication says, “I can about the uniqueness of your child.” · ** Parents clearly understand the importance of their role. ** During curriculum night or in the first school newsletter, parents are asked to support ideal learning conditions for their children by ensuring children come to school well rested, nourished and ready to learn with the appropriate materials, clothing and assignments. Parents are reminded that they are partners in their child’s education. They make a significant difference by providing learning experiences at home, reinforcing what is being taught in the classroom and emphasizing the importance of learning. · **Sc hool communication flow is routine practice. ** Parents like to receive information on a regular basis, such as a newsletter each month. Many schools include a School Council insert page. If parents know that information is coming, they are less likely to call you or the teacher for updates. It’s also a good way to keep them “in the loop” on a regular basis. · ** Parents know how they can help at home. ** Many parents want to be involved in their children's learning experiences, but aren’t sure where to begin. Parents can facilitate student learning at home with guidance from the school. Homework is an obvious place to start. (//Note: See ‘Homework Policy’ for a detailed description of student, teacher and parent responsibilities//) Schools can provide tips on how to help children get the most out of their homework -- by setting up a quiet workspace and a reasonable homework schedule, checking work thoroughly, listening to their children's homework concerns and questions and emphasizing their strengths. Knowing how and when to contact the classroom teacher aids in the process. Being open and invitational builds trust and confidence. · ** School Council is considered part of the leadership team. ** By creating a group e-mail account and forwarding relevant school or board information between meetings, school council members are kept involved and knowledgeable. Use of e-mail can save a lot of photocopying on meeting days. A brief e-mail outlining ‘news-breaking incidents or situations” at the school (minus student or staff names) and the action taken provides council members with accurate, up-to-date information before rumors begin to distort facts. · ** Bulletin boards advertise, inform and remind. ** Everyone who enters the school passes by the community bulletin board located outside the office. Pertinent information, such as the latest newsletter, upcoming events, dates/times of school council meetings, school council contacts, school profile, staff lists, office hours, special fee-based programs, and more is displayed. A bulletin board gives parents and visitors access to information even when the office is unavailable. · ** A suggestion box encourages participation. ** Located in or near the office for parents, the suggestion box asks a simple question – “What could we do differently to make our school a better place for children to learn?” // (Adapted from the National School Public Relations Association) // [|Engaging Aboriginal Parents] [|Aboriginal Ed. Branch BC] [|School Plus]
 * Communicating With parents **