Communicating with Parents

Here's a confession: I really HATE talking on the phone. Maybe some of you feel the opposite - you'd take a call over email any day of the week!

The thing is, we all have preferred communication styles. As a new school year begins, we can decide how to use our strengths and improve our weaknesses in communicating with parents.

Is it worth it? Yes!

Communicating with parents builds positive relationships and keeps them informed. When you communicate with parents about what their student is studying in the classroom, parents are encouraged to take an active role in their student's learning. This will help us lay the foundation for a successful year ahead!

Communicating with parents on a regular basis also helps you stay up-to-date with things that are happening in the student's life that could possibly impact them in school.

Here are some suggestions on HOW can we get communication going from the very beginning of the school year:

💬 Hold a meet the teacher night/open house: These events are great for establishing positive communication

💬 Send home personalized welcome messages: Introduce yourself, share your excitement for the upcoming school year, and express your commitment to support their child's learning journey. 

💬 Look for reasons to send a positive note or email: Parents are so much more likely to engage with their student when they feel positive toward the subject they're studying.

💬 Use free apps: ClassDojo, ClassTag, Remind, and Seesaw are free platforms for teachers to communicate announcements, coordinate events, and engage parents in their child's progress. 

💬 Weekly Science Newsletter: Here are some ideas to share your science enthusiasm with parents.

•  Events Happening in the World of Science
•  Featured Science Topic (hint - my weekly Phenomenon blog is great for this!)
  
• Experiment of the Week: Provides a fun and engaging activity that students and families can try at home with simple materials
• Science Trivia: Challenge students and families with a weekly science trivia question to test their knowledge and expand their curiosity
• STEM Spotlight: Showcase a STEM-related project
• Science Joke of the Week
  
• Science Book/Novel/Magazine Reading Recommendations: Students and families can explore/expand their scientific literacy
• Science Vocabulary: New science words or root words to build science vocab
• Student Spotlight: Feature a student's project, experiment, or achievement to  celebrate their curiosity and creativity
• Science Quote: Inspire and motivate students with a thought-provoking quote
  from a famous scientist to encourage their passion for learning

Remember, communication isn't just about reaching goals - it's about exploring new possibilities together!

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