Building Home /Building Home /School Partnerships School Partnerships

Presented by Lynne R. Farlough

What are we learning today?What are we learning today? How parents and families can connect with the teacher before

the school year starts

Maintaining the connection during the school year

Recognizing the teacher is a person first

Why it’s important for teachers to communicate with parents and families

Ways a teacher should communicate with parents and families

Ways for teachers to encourage parents and families

Connect Before the Connect Before the School Year StartsSchool Year Starts

Let your child’s teacher know you look forward to working with them

Exchange email addresses

Share information about your child

Share how your child learns

Share positive stories and anecdotes about your child

Maintaining the Connection Maintaining the Connection During the School YearDuring the School Year

Stay involved

Share important information that your child has shared with you, with your teacher

Be positive and prepared for school activities and meetings

Volunteer

Consider donating classroom supplies

Use a home/school communication book; a good example can be found at the following links:

www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/defiles/IRCA/Handouts2_6-2009.pdf and

www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/defiles/IRCA/Handouts6-2009.pdf

Remember the Teacher Remember the Teacher is a Person Firstis a Person First

Send cards for special events in the teacher’s life

Don’t forget to say “thank you” for the big and little things

Saying “thank you” can be more than just words

Respect the teacher’s schedule

Don’t forget to acknowledge the teacher’s co-workers

Sharing Your AppreciationSharing Your Appreciation with Others with Others

Let the administration know how much you appreciate your child’s teacher

Nominate your favorite teacher for Teacher of the Year

End the School Year End the School Year on a Positive Noteon a Positive Note

Send handwritten notes of thanks to all of your child’s teachers

Keep in touch

Tips for communicating about Tips for communicating about instructional practices used with instructional practices used with

your childyour child Listen carefully when a teacher describes problems with aspects of your child’s

learning

Track how well your child is doing with the instructional practices

Ask about research on the effectiveness of the of the instructional practices or behavioral programs being used

Discuss whether there are cultural factors that might make a difference

Try to understand the way your child learns, so you can better communicate with your child’s teacher

Find out if supplementary educational services are available at your child’s school

Find out if your school provides online access to your child’s school assignments and grades

Communication From Communication From the Teacherthe Teacher

Why is it important to Why is it important to communicate with parents?communicate with parents?

Parents and families will have a better understanding of how you are helping prepare their children for success in school

They will learn how well their children are progressing in developing the building blocks of learning

They will learn ways in which they can help their children at home

The teacher will have a better understanding of the background and experience of the children

The children will see that the adults in their life care about them

Ways to Communicate with Ways to Communicate with Parents and CaregiversParents and Caregivers

Talk with parents and families as they deliver and pick up their children

Send home newsletters, notes, or emails

Use the home/school communication book

Schedule regular meetings

Ways to Encourage Parents Ways to Encourage Parents and Caregiversand Caregivers

Encourage parents and families to talk with children during daily routines

Encourage them to help children to name objects in their environment

Encourage parents and families to read and reread stories

Encourage parents and families to have children recount experiences

Encourage parents and families to visit libraries and museums with their children

Share with parents and families ideas about activities that can be done at home

Invite parents and families to visit your classroom

ResourcesResources

Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) www.eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc Indiana Resource Center for Autism www.iidc.indiana.edu/ National Center for Learning Disabilities www.ncld.org/

Pyramid Contact InformationPyramid Contact Information

504-899-1505www.pyramidparentcenter.org

Pyramid is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

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