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Effective communication is essential for building school-family partnerships. It constitutes the foundation for all other forms of family involvement in education.

STEPS

1. Watch the video above. It's just 1 minute and 36 seconds long. :)

2. Create a post reflecting on your existing communication channels.

What are some communication strategies that work for you?

Consider how you can improve your existing communication system.

3. MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME. This will be your sign-off that you completed it.

4. Please complete this before you leave on December 12.  🎄

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Activating educators' focus on family engagement as central to teaching

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Some communication strategies that work for me are Kinvo, and notes home. I like to send a quick Kinvo to parents when students do somethings I can brag on them about. I also have passed out notes from the teacher that I give the students to show their parents. I know the students are proud of that and get to take it home to show their parents. I definitely need to work on doing this much more often.

I can improve my existing communication by making phone calls as well as the notes and Kinvos. I also need to work on doing the things I am doing more often, so parents know I am keeping the communication open between us and building the relationships with them.

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Some communication strategies that work for me are telephone calls and notes sent home. Either bragging on students work and/or behavior, or issues/concerns we are dealing with. It's important for my parents to understand that we are a team and that we are both working towards helping students achieve their goals.
I can improve my existing communication by using Kinvo, in addition to the phone calls and notes.

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Blake Smith
A good communication strategy that works for me would be the 5 step counseling model used in mindset. It involves active listening, listen to what is being said, repeat back what is said, make no judgment. To improve on communication - positive attitude and positive body language.

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Some communication strategies that have worked for me are phone calls, notes sent home, the text messaging platform Kinvo.  When communicating with parents, I like to begin the conversations by bragging on their child first. I then provide strategies for parents to use when helping their child at home. I have provided parents with a small magnet and meet the teacher newsletter with my contact information so that they may reach out to me anytime.
I can improve my existing communication skills, by allowing for the parent to voice any concerns or questions they may have. I typically keep parents updated, but sometimes I forget to allow them the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.

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The communication strategies that works for me are Kinvo, newsletter, and post cards home. I like to send the cards home with positive notes. I address it to the student so they can show it to their parents.  I need to work on sending more positive notes through Kinvo and post cards.  I also need to work on making positive telephone calls to parents.

I can improve by making phone calls as well as using Kinvo more often. It is very important to keep the communication open between parents and teachers. We have to build their trust and respect for the communication to work.

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Keeping an open line of communication with parents is very important, whether its positive or expressing their struggles. All parents want to hear how well their babies are doing! Sharing this infmation through our kinvo, phone calls, or fb post from schools allows us to show how proud we are of their student! I also believe it shows the type of teacher you are when you want to share in the excitement of their child's achievements.

I can improve on my skills by calling parents more often instead of when I have to and express how proud I am of their child! Sending post cards is another way our school shares in communication but, our parents are more into technology. So, I feel that the Facebook post and kinvo messages help more. This is another way to just keep in contact and let our parents know what is happening this week and how to help their child succeed!

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I always find something positive to say about my students when I am talking to my parents. It helps when you do have some not-so pleasant news to share. I want the parents to know that we are a team and we both have the same goal-do what is best for the child!  I do need to send more positive, random notes/messages home. This again breaks down any walls that have been built by parents. 

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I always find something positive to say about my students when I am talking to my parents. It helps when you do have some not-so pleasant news to share. I want the parents to know that we are a team and we both have the same goal-do what is best for the child!  I do need to send more positive, random notes/messages home. This again breaks down any walls that have been built by parents. 

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Jaime Taylor

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I use several types of communication avenues to communicate with parents.  I use Kinvo, send out newsletters,  monthly behavior charts that include upcoming events special dress up days.  We like to use the positive behavior referral form to send those students who are always demonstrating those positive and healthy character traits we look for in our Core Essential program.  I do send positive notes and make positive phone calls with those students who are more difficult, so that it keeps a positive line of communication open with those parents.

Heather Tanner

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Some communication strategies that work for me are utilizing Kinvo to check on students who are absent or to check in on a question I have.  I also use to ask parents to call me at their convenience after school so that they can be in a quiet place when they are ready to talk.  I always start with something positive and then ask for suggestions at what kind of idea they have for me if the student is having an "off day" or continuing to misbehave. I thank them for their time before getting off the phone.

I can defiantly improve by contacting more for positive things that stand out or by sending a note telling them about something awesome we noticed about their child.

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My communication strategies are telephone and in person meetings. I am required to give an update and report barriers/progress once a year. During this time, I usually begin the meeting with a strength then proceed to an area of concern as parents are usually more willing to hear you when you talk about something their child does right before something that needs to be worked on. I always end the conversation with is there any comments or concerns you have at this time and as always feel free to contact me at any time if you have any further concerns.
Something I could improve is contacting the parent more throughout the year when their child is doing well. I mean, who doesn't like for someone to brag on their child!

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Communication strategies that work for me are always being available. When parents reach out to me, I always try to respond in a timely manner. Keeping parents informed about their child's education, safety, concerns, and success is necessary to have a strong relationship. I try to communicate the way I would like my child's teacher to speak to me. Communication needs to take place for POSTIVE accomplishments. Parents want to hear from the teacher for all the great things that take place at school.

I can improve my communication by making time for more positive phone calls. I love that KINVO translate our messages because reaching the Spanish speaking parents can be a challenge for teachers.

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The best communication strategy for me is KINVO. It is quick and effective. We use KINVO to send out our weekly newsletters, reminders, and behavior communication. When I need a more in depth conversation I typically make a phone call. I always try to share something positive the first part of the year. This seems to help if an issue comes up later on.

I need to improve on taking pictures of our special dress up days and activities to post on social media. Parents love looking at these and its a great way to display all the wonderful things our the students are learning.

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When I was in the classroom, some communication strategies I found that worked the best for me were telephone conversations, positive notes home, and a daily behavior log. Parents have to feel comfortable with their child's teacher.

Some ways to improve communication with parents are make sure you communicate often, be personable, and make sure parents feel welcome at the school and in your classroom.

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Its always important to give a GLO and an GROW when talking to parents. Parents want to know how to help their kids at home. Most parents only know how to help with spelling words. They might not always know how to help with other subject areas.
Also I think we do a great job here at WGES bringing in the parents for Family nights....especially on free food nights!

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The communication strategies that work best for me are Kinvo, phone calls, and newsletters. It is the most convenient. When talking to parents, I always try to start with a positive and not let my only forms of communication be discussing a negative. I want my parents to feel comfortable reaching out to me with any questions, concerns, or even to share a positive experience they are seeing at home.

I can improve my skills by sending more positive notes home. I try to send a message once a month bragging on each student in some kind of way, but sometimes fall behind in doing so. I feel these positive messages are important in building that relationship with not just your student but their parents because they need to know you're both on the same side when it comes to their child's education.

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I strive to build positive relationships with the parents of the children I serve.  When talking with a parent, I start the conversation with positive comments about their child, highlighting their strengths.   I also send home resource materials (fluency passages, sight word flash cards, games...) to provide opportunities for my students to receive extra support.  I recognize that I need to be more assertive and consistent in reaching out to parents.   My communication needs to include more positive notes, messaging, and phone calls.

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The communication strategies that work best for me are Kinvo and the weekly newsletter. As a grade level, we use Kinvo to send the weekly newsletter and I also use Kinvo to send reminders about what is due or an upcoming test.

I can improve on my existing communication system by sending positive notes, emails, or Kinvos more often. Instead of only using Kinvo, I can also call parents more often. I tend to use Kinvo because it's quick and easy, but I know a phone call would be much more personable and a phone call would also build a better relationship with parents.

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What are some communication strategies that work for you?

When making initial contact early on in the school year, find out the best method for reaching out to parents. Some parents are more likely to respond to email, whereas some prefer a phone call.

I've always tried to establish a positive parent/teacher relationship early on in the school year. When a parent knows that you care and that you want to be on the same team for their child from the beginning, they are more likely to be more supportive when/if issues arise.

Consider how you can improve your existing communication system.....

... At times, I know I can do better with how often I communicate with parents. I need to do better with reaching out to parents to share positive things that I see their child doing.

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When speaking with parents I always start off with positivity and slowly lead into what can be improved upon in class. I think I do a good job letting the parents speak and try to understand where they are coming from. Sometimes I feel like it's an excuse, but I could do better with not always assuming. In gifted, I do not reach out to the parents very often because I only have their child once a week, but when I do see them in public or at pick up, I try my best to communicate.

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Communication plays a key role in students' success. Teaching is a job that cannot be done alone. To build relationships with parents, we must communicate with them regularly. I send weekly newsletters and a daily report stating what we did that day and how their day was. I also use kinvo. One thing that I plan on doing is to send postcards and make parent phone calls regularly for positive things.
-Marisol Rivas

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As a media specialist, I don't communicate directly with parents very often. When the need arises, I mainly use written communication such as notes and letters. I do use socail media for general communication such as letting the community know about upcoming library events or to share what students have been doing in the library.

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A good communication strategy is to  sandwich what may seem negative with something positive at the beginning and ending of the conversation. Always end with a positive comment.
An area of improvement is finding out in the beginning if the person needs you to just listen or if they need a solution. My mind always begins to work for solutions from the beginning and sometimes no solution is needed.

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The communication strategies that work best for me are the weekly newsletter and Kinvo. We use kinvo to send out our weekly newsletter, reminders, and any other information that the parents may need to know.
One way that I can improve on my existing communication skills by sending positive notes home to parents. Try sending more positive messages home to parents.

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The communication strategy that works best for me are Kinvo and notes home.  Kinvo seems to work the best at actually reaching parents. I love sending notes but students seem to misplace them and they don't always make it home to parents.

I can improve on my existing communitcation by using Kinvo more and making positive phone calls. I talked with some friends this weekend that discussed how important it was for them to hear from the teacher. They loved getting positive postcards and notes.

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The communication strategies that work best for me are KINVO, notes home, and weekly newsletters.  I like the ease of KINVO and being able to contact a parent at the exact moment needed, whether it is a positive message, a reminder, or to address a negative behavior.  I love that KINVO translates from English to Spanish so that we have a direct line of communication when we are otherwise unable to have a translator. I periodically send positive post cards home but I really need to do this more often.  Something so simple can make such a big difference in how parents see me as a teacher.  Knowing I can find something positive to say about their child is so important.

I can improve on my existing communication by sending more positive notes home and making positive phone calls. I will never forget the positive email I received when my daughter was in high school. I want my parents to have that feeling of pride about their child. It is my responsibility to open the line of communication with my parents and keep it open.

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Communication is key so that parents/guardians know you are personally invested in their child. It can often be the first step in preventing behavior issues, or a next step when stopping behavior issues.
I find that sending as many positive communications home as possible works well for me.
I can improve my communication system by sending home these positive thoughts more routinely.

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Commutating with parents regularly is very important. Whether it be bragging on a students good behavior or a quick check in if they are absent, or letting a parent know about an issue. Although it is important to inform parents of problems, no parent only wants to hear the negatives. At the beginning of the year I try to make sure all my parents know that I am here to work with them to help their child succeed and that one main part of that is communication.
I try my best to send positive kinvo's often but could do a better job of making positive phone calls in addition to kinvo's.

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At the beginning of the year, I make sure to stress to parents that they are always welcome to contact me about any issues they may have, questions, or concerns. We communicate through weekly newsletters, our daily reports, Kinvo, email, and by phone.  I also make sure that I respond to parents in a timely fashion. This helps to build those healthy relationships between families and teachers that are very important to have a successful school year.

I want to improve my communication with parents by taking time to reach out to a couple of parents each week and just share with them some positive feedback regarding their child.

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Communicating is one of the best ways to receive parent involvement within your classroom. When reaching out to parents, I always give positive things the student is doing in my class, even if the reason for contact may not be a very positive reason. There are many great ways to stay in contact with parents. My main way of communication is KINVO. KINVO makes communicating easy and convenient for the teacher and parent because these days most parents have access to a self phone, and check it often. It is also important that parents can reach you easily with any concern they have with their child.