What's In Your Toolbox?
Communicating with Parents
The first days of school are quickly approaching. When you are getting ready to greet your new students, here are some tips to become a welcoming face for parents too. Studies have shown that family involvement is a strong predictor of high student achievement. Part of helping students achieve is strengthening the partnership between schools and families. As teachers, we play a front-line role in building these relationships get the years started.
A) Smile and learn their names. Dale Carnegie said, “the expression one wears on relationships. Here are a few tips for getting those first days started on the right foot. One’s face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one’s back.” There may be only a few times in the year that parents will come to school. Remember to make your first impression positive and welcoming.
B) Conduct a Quick Survey at the beginning of the year or during your open house to assess the best way to communicate with students and families.
- My child has regular access to a computer with internet access at home to support academics. (Yes/No)
- My child has regular access to a mobile device (like a tablet or phone) at home with internet access to support academics. (Yes/No)
- I have access to email. (Yes/No). If you answered no, please provide your name and your child’s name, and we will provide paper copies of communications.
- I access the internet for school communications on my:
Work computer
Mobile device
Other (please specify)
C) Make the early communications positive. It’s so much easier to make the first contacts to parents and guardians if you are calling with good news, rather than reporting negative behaviors. Take an hour and make quick calls home to every family on your roster. Start with a simple introduction. “Hi Mrs. Smith, this is Mrs. Williams. I’m so happy to have your Michael in my classroom this year.” Plan a second call to talk about the child’s positive behavior, improvements, or work quality.
D) Communicate frequently. Build a communication plan. Decide what fits for your classroom. Your communication could be a weekly newsletter, regular emails, occasional phone calls, or a note in the Friday folder.
Written by Teena Mahoney, English Teacher at Glendale High School
Why Pronouns Matter
Why Pronouns Matter
When working to build relationships with students, recognizing their identity is critical. We must also acknowledge that identity goes past our given/chosen names. Think about the way we dress, our mannerisms, and actions we show every day to let others know who we are. When someone shares their pronouns with you, they have the opportunity to create clarity in how they would like to be perceived. Assuming that someone's identity is only based upon their appearance, could be a misstep.
Most people mean no harm if we say, guess or assume the wrong pronoun. If you want to be respectful to the student, find an opportunity to ask (in a safe space) what pronouns would they like to go by. Remember we all make mistakes, but students will give us some grace if they know we're sincere in our efforts.
Here are several resources to expand your knowledge with pronouns and why they matter.
For some, gender identity is more on a spectrum than an absolute. Below is a video giving you one student's perspective of genderfluid. Someone who is genderfluid has the opportunity not to conform to traditional gender roles.
