There are a multitude of communication channels that we can
access each and every day. For our parents, we need to make sure to keep them
in the loop. Day to day activities and
events are an integral part of the learning experience for our students and
staff. From traditional forms of communication to contemporary Social Media venues,
parents appreciate being “kept in the loop”.
Today it is important to let parents know what it happening at school.
Selecting the appropriate communication is very important. Depending on what
you need to share with parents, will determine which tool to use. Here are
several different tools that I use to increase communication with parents.
One Way Communication
Tools
·
Electronic News: This daily communication
tool is a positive way to send out daily announcements updates.
·
Remind: This one-way texting took has
become very popular with parents. They like receiving quick information via a
text from teachers, counselors, and the administrators. It’s a great way to set up different groups
(or classes). For our parents I have a
class that allows me to send information for this stakeholder group. This tool has increased parent awareness of
different activities and functions taking place at school. Updated Remind
features allow you to send pictures and add links to the Remind text messages.
·
School Management Systems: SISK12 or
Infinite Campus are two communication tools that helps keep parent up to date
regarding academics. Other venues like Edmodo, Class Dojpo, Schoology, and
Google classroom allow parents to received more information regarding academics and the individual classes.
·
Web-based Newsletters: This is a tool
that I find to be extremely helpful. We started using www.smore.com for our monthly newsletters. It
is a user friendly website that allows you to create family friendly
newsletters. You can send the smore
newsletter to your parents via electronic news, Remind, or an email blast.
·
Website: Parents rely on our website. It
is very important to make sure that the information is correct and current.
Two-Way Communication
Tools
·
Instagram: This Social Media tool
empowers the parents to get a glimpse into the school day. Posting pictures that capture day to day
activities lets parents see what’s going on without being at school.
·
Blog Posts: This provides periodic information
for parents that relate to education and the learning process. Parents enjoy
reading posts from teachers and administrators. It can serve as a professional
development avenue for parents.
·
Email: This is an essential tool today to
provide quick access information for your parents.
·
Email Blasts: A quick and easy way to
send information to parents is to use the “group email” feature of your School
Management System.
·
Facebook: A very popular Social Media tool,
facebook empowers the school to connect and share a variety of things with your
community. Upcoming events, celebrations, updates, or special notices.
·
Phone calls: Nothing can replace the old-fashioned,
traditional telephone call to parents. They often appreciate calls just to let
them know about something positive about their child’s day.
·
Twitter: Another Social Media tool that
gives parents another venue to participate in two-way communication. Parents can reply to tweets, ask questions,
and access school resources that have been tweeted out from the school, a
teacher, or administrator.
·
Twitter Chats: These chats provide parents
with a chance to use their Social Media skills in a collaborative way to share
ideas and thoughts. Chats can be a way to continue integrating Social Media
into the school setting.
Although it is very easy to slide into the habit of using
Social Media, parents also like the tradition forms of communication. By
finding a balance between the two formats, you are able to reach all of your
parents. I find that by using both one-way and two-way communication tools, parents
appreciate knowing that there are times when they simply need information and
there are times when they appreciate the opportunity to reply or communicate
back to the school.
