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Boost Your November School Communications with These 5 Essential Smore Templates

Dr. Kara Stern
3 min read
November newsletters displayed on smartphones.

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the holiday season approaches, it’s time to spice up your school communications! We’ve crafted five engaging Smore templates that will make your November newsletters pop. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, honoring Native American Heritage Month, or keeping parents in the loop, these templates have got you covered.

1. Thanksgiving Newsletter Template: Spread Gratitude in Style

Our Thanksgiving Newsletter Template is the perfect way to get your class into the holiday spirit. Here’s what makes it special:

  • A festive design with autumn colors and Thanksgiving imagery
  • Sections for teaching about Thanksgiving history and traditions
  • Fun gratitude activities for the classroom
  • A curated playlist to set the mood
  • Inspirational quotes to spark reflection

Pro Tip: Use this template to encourage student participation by asking them to contribute their own gratitude messages or Thanksgiving-themed artwork.

2. Thanksgiving Message to Families: Show Your Appreciation

Building strong relationships with families is crucial, and what better time to express gratitude than Thanksgiving? Our template includes:

  • A heartwarming “Top 10 Reasons I’m Grateful for Parents & Caregivers” list
  • Sections to highlight student achievements and volunteer contributions
  • Space for important dates and reminders
  • A suggestion to create a personalized video message for a more intimate touch

Pro Tip: Customize the gratitude list to reflect specific events or contributions from your school community.

3. Native American Heritage Month: Celebrate and Educate

November is Native American Heritage Month, and our template provides a wealth of resources to honor and learn about Indigenous cultures:

  • Interactive map showing Indigenous lands
  • Book recommendations for students
  • Facts and figures about Native American history and contributions
  • Resources for exploring Navajo weaving traditions

Pro Tip: Use this template as a springboard for ongoing discussions about diversity, cultural respect, and inclusion throughout the school year.

4. November Weekly Update: Keep Everyone in the Loop

Stay connected with families using our Weekly Update template. It’s designed to provide all the essential information at a glance:

  • Weekly schedule and lunch menu
  • Student shout-outs for positive behavior and achievements
  • Current unit of study highlights
  • Upcoming events and important reminders
  • Space for teacher contact information

Pro Tip: Encourage parent engagement by including a “Question of the Week” for families to discuss with their children about their learning.

5. Parent-Teacher Conference Template: Prepare for Productive Conversations

Make the most of your parent-teacher conferences with our comprehensive template:

  • Sections for student work samples and photos
  • Areas to discuss peer relationships, classroom behavior, and work habits
  • Goal-setting framework using the SMART method
  • Embedded Google Form for parent feedback
  • Resources for handling difficult conversations

Pro Tip: Use this template to create a digital portfolio for each student that you can update throughout the year, making conference prep a breeze.

Elevate Your November Communications

These five Smore templates are designed to save you time while enhancing your communication with students, families, and the wider school community. By using these templates, you’ll create engaging, informative, and visually appealing newsletters that keep everyone connected and informed throughout November.

Remember, the key to effective communication is consistency and personalization. Feel free to adapt these templates to fit your unique school culture and community needs. And for one-to-one communication tools, check out what our partners at SchoolStatus have to offer.

What’s your favorite way to engage with families during the holiday season? Share your ideas in the comments below, and don’t forget to check our blog for more template ideas and communication tips!

Happy communicating, and have a fantastic November!

Dr. Kara Stern

Dr. Kara Stern began her career as an ELA teacher, then shifted into administration as a middle school principal. Dr. Stern is a fervent advocate for equitable communication and family engagement. She spent five years as Executive Director at Math for America, where she designed the professional learning community that exists to this day. An unexpected move to Tel Aviv launched her into the world of EdTech where she became the Director of Education Content for Smore and then the Head of Education Solutions at SchoolStatus. Outside of work, she indulges her love for reading, devouring two novels weekly, with a particular fondness for heists and spy stories.

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