Effective Parent Communication Via Email and the Web
Many Ways to Reach Parents
Linda Shalaway provides concise descriptions of the best methods of parent communication. Her class newsletter content suggestions are applicable for both written and electronic formats.
Parents and Teachers Working Together
http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/ifc051011.html
Linda Starr shares strategies for using technology to increase parent involvement; including Web sites, email, and voice mail.
Parents Expect E-Mail Accessibility
Nora Carr takes the parent perspective in advocating for the necessity of regular email communication between teachers and parents, and also provides recommendations on effective school email policies.
Email Guidelines for Parent and Teacher Communication (PDF)
http://www.pearlandisd.org/ngc/email.pdf
The Pearland (TX) Independent School District provides an excellent model of email communication guidelines for district staff and parents.
Examples of Classroom Websites for Parent Communication
Room 34 at Tovashal Elementary School
http://www.murrieta.k12.ca.us/tovashal/bcoley/parents.htm
http://www.murrieta.k12.ca.us/tovashal/bcoley/dailylog/dailylog.htm
Mr. Coley’s students take turns writing a daily news log which is posted to the Web site for parents to view. The site also includes good examples of information to share with parents.
Mrs. Renz’s Homework Backpack
http://www.redmond.k12.or.us/patrick/renz/homework.htm
Class Homepage Builder: Tips For Your Homepage
http://teacher.scholastic.com/homepagebuilder/monthly_tips.htm
Scholastic provides video clips of two teachers who have used the free Homepage Builder to create successful class Web sites for improved school-home communication.
