Family Communication- What, How and Challenges by Chris Cocek

2025-09-10 21:50:43 UTC

I use Seesaw, it is awesome for instant messaging and easy to use

Challenges

sarahmackenzie6 — 2025-09-10 21:50:56 UTC

With so many students as a high school teacher, one challenge is that often times the first individual contact home is if something negative has happened with the student :(

2025-09-10 21:51:14 UTC

I try to send emails periodically to update all parents. It's tough to find the time though :(.

2025-09-10 21:51:16 UTC

Weekly class emails
Google Classroom for sharing French resources.

ccocek1 — 2025-09-10 21:51:18 UTC

How do you currently communicate with your families? What tech do you currently use?
What do you currently communicate with your families? Do you include the technology you will be using? Expectations? Digital Citizenship?
What are some challenges you face in family communication?

2025-09-10 21:51:33 UTC

I calll parents whenever I can but the service is spotty sometimes which can be frustrating

2025-09-10 21:51:54 UTC

Email only and some phone calls. I use to share and gather information. Parents are not always responding to the emails. I may look at SeeSaw and they do like to text.

Communication

jliberty — 2025-09-10 21:52:16 UTC

For general class updates I send emails to parents. Usually this is helpful to open up communication with parents who have questions.

Family communication

2025-09-10 21:52:23 UTC

I send home a weekly newsletter in their folders to update parents on upcoming events, etc. I also email frequently with parents.

I don't talk about tech much.. but it would be a good idea!

I find some parents don't read the newsletters and will contact me about info that I've already sent home

2025-09-10 21:52:41 UTC

I provide a meet the teacher handout that can go home, offer the parents an opportunitty to tell me about t heir child in 1 Million words or less so they can go crazy with details or not, its up to them !

2025-09-10 21:52:41 UTC

My communication is mostly through email, however I also have phone calls, written notes and in person meetings. This year I used a google form to collect dismissal info, which was great for the 15/21 that responded to it! That leads me to the challenges, I can use tech to communicate, but it only works if the parents access it!

We have a class FB page where I post updates, pictures and anything else families need (sent some permission forms on the first day) so far this is working great! also have agendas that I check daily and use to write quick notes in

2025-09-10 21:52:43 UTC

croweag — 2025-09-10 21:53:03 UTC

Primary communication for me is through phone/email. Maybe I am still "stuck in the past". A challenge is the struggle to communicate effectively with home where I teach such a large group of students.

2025-09-10 21:53:07 UTC

I communicate by email.
I try to send a class update to all my families once a month. I reach out to individuals as needed to share praise or ask for support from home.
I often recieve messages from parents asking me questions that I have already answered in a previous email.

martellje1 — 2025-09-10 21:53:23 UTC

Mostly just email, agendas and phone calls!
I try to get the parents linked to all digital platforms we use like Google Classroom so they can stay up to date and have awareness of the tech we are using.
It can be cumbersome to communicate effectively to parents and especially when the contact information is not up to date in the system.

joeymacneil — 2025-09-10 21:53:26 UTC

Through emails, and phone calls when needed. some parents are more involved with powershool.

Sandy

2025-09-10 21:53:50 UTC

I like to invite the parent and guardian to my Google classroom so they get updates on how things are going for their child. I also take time to call and email parents and guardians when behaviour issues arise.

Communication

jessicaleblanc4 — 2025-09-10 21:54:46 UTC

I usually communicate via email (some phone calls). I send an email to all the parents at the beginning of the year with info and ask parents to reach out if they need anything or want to check in. Then I'll send occasional emails home as needed.

Challenges

2025-09-10 21:55:21 UTC

I will send communication through the announcements and monthly updates with families since I teach 400 students. All of grade 7 and 8. Unless I need to contact a parent about a certain issue, then I would call or email them directly.

The main challenge is most people likely won't check these.

2025-09-10 21:55:49 UTC

1. As a LC teacher, I text communicate with a lot of my families. As it is fast and easy to access. And phone calls or emails for the bigger things.

Communicate - daily progress, medical needs or issues. photos.
Challenges can be some do not want communication certain ways or goes too far (I don't have this issue knock on wood)
- Sarah Martin

2025-09-10 21:56:18 UTC

- Email and phone calls

Google Meet on Parent/ Teacher Interviews

- Mostly communicate updates for my homeroom, things coming up on in my classes (if they need materials etc.), class trips, email home positive updates and email for unwanted behaviours/ missed work ...

- I don't communicate teach I/ we use in the classroom.

- Most parents are good with email, but there are some that want a phone call. Some don't pick up the call if it's coming from the school.

Parent Communication

2025-09-10 21:56:26 UTC

I communicate with families via phone calls, emails, seesaw app, and notes back and forth in the communication bag. Many of our caregivers including grandparents who do not use email or technology. I send printed newsletters to some and email for others. I send home a form for caregivers to tell me what they prefer for communication.

2025-09-10 21:56:46 UTC

I use outlook to email parents when necessary, including updates on great things their children have done in my class. I have also sent home codes for BookCreator where they can see what their children have created in French class. I send home a list of all the games and websites and tech tools I use in French class. I also give suggestion for parents on tech they can use at home with their children to practice their French. The biggest grief I have when communicating with parents is the backlash of " why does my child need to learn French" " my child doesn't like French because they don't know what you are saying." I mostly always send positive emails home or keep my emails home very "what can I do to make your child have a better learning experience." Parents can be my biggest challenge.

joeymacneil — 2025-09-10 21:57:11 UTC

Family Communication

2025-09-10 21:57:16 UTC

Email and Google Classroom
During curriculum night, I share with families what technologies we might use, but not specifics as we are always adapting and updating!
The level of communication families expect varies, especially in the transition from elementary to junior high! Also the transition from one classroom teacher to subject teachers.