Parent-Teacher Communication Courtney Stockton Developed in Conjunction With the Ventura County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA)

Philosophical Points to Consider Most parents are on your side. Most parents are on your side. Even difficult parents only want what’s best for their student. Even difficult parents only want what’s best for their student. How would you deal with the situation if it were your child? How would you deal with the situation if it were your child? Communication shows you care Communication shows you care What happens if you don’t communicate well? What happens if you don’t communicate well? Does your department chair or administration need to know anything? Does your department chair or administration need to know anything?

Be Proactive Get s and cell phone numbers Get s and cell phone numbers First HW assignment First HW assignment Back to School Night Back to School Night Communicate as soon as you see an issue Communicate as soon as you see an issue More communication works in your favor More communication works in your favor Lots of documentation Lots of documentation Should involve student when appropriate Should involve student when appropriate Use of Time Tracker/Daily Log Use of Time Tracker/Daily Log Weekly Progress Checks Weekly Progress Checks Home/School Rewards System Home/School Rewards System

General Strategies Focus on strengths and successes but discuss problem areas as well Focus on strengths and successes but discuss problem areas as well Keep records of things that have “potential” Keep records of things that have “potential” Don’t use other student’s names Don’t use other student’s names Pick the best way to communicate for you Pick the best way to communicate for you Phone vs. vs. website vs. ???? Phone vs. vs. website vs. ???? Respond to all communication within 24 hours Respond to all communication within 24 hours

Even When They’re Angry Stay Professional Stay Professional Keep calm Keep calm Speak in a normal volume Speak in a normal volume Avoid profanity Avoid profanity Borderline words Borderline words Only say things you can prove via documentation Only say things you can prove via documentation TRY not to allow feelings into discussion TRY not to allow feelings into discussion Don’t allow abuse Don’t allow abuse

How to Avoid Abuse Ask parent to speak respectfully and professionally Ask parent to speak respectfully and professionally Ask them again Ask them again add “…or I will hang up.” add “…or I will hang up.” Remind them they are still not being respectful. Remind them they are still not being respectful. Tell them to set up a meeting with an administrator. Tell them to set up a meeting with an administrator. Say “I am hanging up now.” Say “I am hanging up now.” Hang Up Hang Up

Specifically Elementary Establish a system BEFORE the school year starts Establish a system BEFORE the school year starts Tell parents how it works Tell parents how it works Early on Early on Whenever possible Whenever possible Use the system consistently Use the system consistently If it’s not working, change it! If it’s not working, change it! Notify parents in advance Notify parents in advance Make assignments clear Make assignments clear Written directions Written directions Simple/Rote tasks Simple/Rote tasks Information in other languages Information in other languages

Examples of Communication Systems Notes in the backpack Notes in the backpack Communication log Communication log Weekly newsletters Weekly newsletters Send unit plans home Send unit plans home Regularly scheduled phone calls Regularly scheduled phone calls group group Use a website or Edmodo.com Use a website or Edmodo.com Remind 101 Remind 101 Text Blasts Text Blasts

Specifically Secondary Have students write HW in time tracker Have students write HW in time tracker Get teacher initials each day Get teacher initials each day Write none if no HW Write none if no HW Student must bring to teacher Student must bring to teacher Use Remind101 to send text blasts Use Remind101 to send text blasts App available on iPhone, iPad or Droid like devices App available on iPhone, iPad or Droid like devices Use weekly progress checks Use weekly progress checks Many students already do this Many students already do this Student must bring to teacher Student must bring to teacher Always give a progress report grade (even if not required) Always give a progress report grade (even if not required) Use Use Calendar Calendar Assignments Assignments Direct communication Direct communication

References Bing Images. “Thinking” (Picture Slide 2). Retrieved from 6/18/2013. Bing Images. “Thinking” (Picture Slide 2). Retrieved from 6/18/ Bing Images. “Proactive” (Picture Slide 3). Retrieved from qMeWsakmSfM/T_PKXQCmFhI/AAAAAAAAAl4/uMeN- an6uE8/s1600/depositphotos_ Proactive-Person-Wins-Vs-Reactive-Inactivity-People- Lose.jpg 6/18/2013. Bing Images. “Proactive” (Picture Slide 3). Retrieved from qMeWsakmSfM/T_PKXQCmFhI/AAAAAAAAAl4/uMeN- an6uE8/s1600/depositphotos_ Proactive-Person-Wins-Vs-Reactive-Inactivity-People- Lose.jpg 6/18/ qMeWsakmSfM/T_PKXQCmFhI/AAAAAAAAAl4/uMeN- an6uE8/s1600/depositphotos_ Proactive-Person-Wins-Vs-Reactive-Inactivity-People- Lose.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/- qMeWsakmSfM/T_PKXQCmFhI/AAAAAAAAAl4/uMeN- an6uE8/s1600/depositphotos_ Proactive-Person-Wins-Vs-Reactive-Inactivity-People- Lose.jpg Bing Images. “Communication Crossword” (Picture Slide 3). Retrieved from Tf4i8LrbkE/UTYTEk80KFI/AAAAAAAAAm8/EQhw0uN0YiM/s1600/depositphotos_ Communication-crossword.jpg 6/18/2013. Bing Images. “Communication Crossword” (Picture Slide 3). Retrieved from Tf4i8LrbkE/UTYTEk80KFI/AAAAAAAAAm8/EQhw0uN0YiM/s1600/depositphotos_ Communication-crossword.jpg 6/18/ Tf4i8LrbkE/UTYTEk80KFI/AAAAAAAAAm8/EQhw0uN0YiM/s1600/depositphotos_ Communication-crossword.jpg Tf4i8LrbkE/UTYTEk80KFI/AAAAAAAAAm8/EQhw0uN0YiM/s1600/depositphotos_ Communication-crossword.jpg Bing Images. “Angry 1” (Picture Slide 5). Retrieved from 6/18/2013 Bing Images. “Angry 1” (Picture Slide 5). Retrieved from 6/18/ Bing Images. “Communicating” (Picture Slide 4). Retrieved from 6/18/2013 Bing Images. “Communicating” (Picture Slide 4). Retrieved from 6/18/ Bing Images. “Teacher Abuse” (Picture Slide 6). Retrieved from /Teacher+Abuse.jpg 6/189/2013 Bing Images. “Teacher Abuse” (Picture Slide 6). Retrieved from /Teacher+Abuse.jpg 6/189/ /Teacher+Abuse.jpg /Teacher+Abuse.jpg