New BeginningsCommunicating with Families

Linda Bradley & Karen ConradProfessional Development Department

August 12, 2015

Lake County Schools

Vision StatementA dynamic, progressive and collaborative learning community embracing change

and diversity where every student will graduate with the skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education and the workplace.

Mission StatementThe mission of the Lake County Schools is to provide every student with individual opportunities to excel.

We Believe:Education is the foundation for everyone’s future.

Education is a lifelong process.All students can learn.

Students should be civic-minded and embrace future roles in the community.Parents/guardians, community, and schools are partners in a students’ education.

Providing a safe, resource-filled learning environment is essential.Students will graduate prepared for work and postsecondary education.

DateAugust 12, 2015

AgendaGradual ReleaseI DO • Explain best

communication strategies.

• Describe how to plan and implement open house and parent conferences.

WE DO• Discuss how

teachers can best communicate with families.

• Compare communication methods and discuss advantages and disadvantages of each.

YOU DO• Plan the

communication methods that will work best for your situation.

• Begin to prepare for open house.

Bellwork Share a personal experience you have had communicating with a teacher.

 

Learning Goal Participants will understand how to communicate with families in various situations in order to increase student achievement. Essential Question

How do we strategize the way we communicate with families in order to achieve success for our students?

Standards Collegiality and professionalism

Vocabulary Skyward, Title I, FSL, PRC, PIP, TPP, Civility Clause

Objective Participants will identify the types of communication available to teachers and discuss ways that they can implement each one during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Ticket Out Quick Write – What was the most valuable piece of information you learned about family communication?

 

Common Board

Learning Goal & Scale

Learning Goal:Participants will be able to

Score

4.0

Participant shows enhanced understanding of the relationship between family communication and increased student achievement by executing a monitoring system to track family contacts and student progress.

3.5 In addition to score 3.0 performance, in-depth inferences and applications with partial success

Score

3.0

The participant, has a complete understanding of how to communicate with families in various situations to increase student achievement.

2.5 No major errors or omissions regarding 2.0 content and partial knowledge of the 3.0 content

Score

2.0

The participant has a moderate understanding of how to communicate with families and the effect it can have on student achievement.

1.5 Partial knowledge of the score 2.0 content, but major errors or omissions regarding score 3.0 content

Score

1.0

Participant has little understanding of how to communicate with families.

0.5 With help, a partial understanding of the score 2.0 content, but not the score of 3.0 content

Score 0 Participant has no understanding of how to communicate with families.

Pre-

Asse

ssm

ent

Think-Pair-Share• Share a personal experience you

have had communicating with a teacher.

Research and Law (the WHY?)• Research has shown that when parents are

involved, student achievement, attendance and graduation rates improve.

• In 2011, U.S. Congress approved a bill requiring LEAs (Local Education Agencies) to increase funding for Parent Involvement (PI) from 1% to 2%.

• FLDOE recognizes Parent Involvement as an educational strategy.

Title I SchoolsElementary

• Sawgrass Bay

• Spring Creek

• Villages

Secondary

• Carver Middle

• Oak Park Middle

• Umatilla Middle

• Leesburg High

Elementary• Beverly Shores• Clermont• Eustis• Eustis Heights• Fruitland Park• Groveland• Leesburg• Mascotte• Rimes

Title I Parent Involvement

• Parent Resource Center - PRC• Family School Liaison - FLS• Parent Involvement Plan - PIP• Parent/Family Events• Take-home Technology• Teacher Prescription Pad - TPP

Purposes of Family Communication

To foster home-school relations• Open communication

between teacher and family• Understand individual

challenges• Help make timely decisions

about students• Take proactive steps to avoid

miscommunications

To support student learning• Notify families of curriculum

and events in advance• Share data re. student’s

progress, grade level, behavior, needs

• Adjust instruction to meet student needs

• Provide assistance

Brainstorm

What are some ways we communicate with families?

Communication Methods• Phone• Email/Texting• Open House/Meet the Teacher• Parent Conference• Written correspondence• Newsletter/Webpage• Agenda/Assignment Notebook• Skyward Family Access• Friday folder• Friday grade sheet

Carousel Activity1. Brainstorm with other group members the pros and cons of each communication method.2. Write your responses using the colored marker given to your group on one of the charts around the room.3. When directed, each group moves to the next chart with their marker and reads the responses already listed.4. Add any additional responses to the list using your marker.5. Rotate around the room adding to each chart.6. Engage in a group review of the information gathered.

Group Discussion

PHONE CALLS

CONS• Difficult to reach families

whose numbers constantly change

• Voicemail messages on home phones can be deleted by students

• Parents sometimes don’t answer calls generated from school

PROS• Reduce misunderstandings

and miscommunications• Take less time than writing to

explain a situation• All questions/concerns can be

discussed and a plan agreed upon by both parties

PHONE TIPS• Don’t give out your personal phone number.• When calling parents at work, first confirm that they have

time to talk.• Remain business-like.• Call early in the year.• Call to report positives, not just negatives.• Return parent calls within 24 hours, if possible.• Keep a record of your calls and call attempts.

EMAIL/TEXTINGCONS• Takes time to explain

situations• Not all families have

access to email or share email address

• Teacher would need to share personal number

PROS• Provides evidence of

contact• Quick way to request

parent conference

EMAIL/TEXT TIPS• Use your school email.• Do not include student’s name.• Be brief. Be positive. Provide facts.• Have a colleague proofread your message.• Wait 24 hours before sending a message if you are

upset.• Request a phone call or conference, if needed.

OPEN HOUSE/MEET THE TEACHERCONS• The families you most

need to meet often do not attend

• Some families expect a private conference

PROS• Opportunity to present a

lot of information to a large group

• Opens the door for on-going communications

• Gives families a visual impression of your professionalism

OPEN HOUSE/MEET THE TEACHER TIPS

• Prepare a brief presentation to summarize the course. Practice it.

• Clean your room. Display student work. • Post rules.• Provide textbooks/curriculum maps for families to view.• Prepare a handout with general information.• Place a sign-in sheet at a desk near the doorway.• Be enthusiastic. Shake hands. Smile. Dress professionally.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCECONS• Scheduling• Some parents are unable

to attend during school hours

PROS• Teacher can create a

plan/agenda in advance• All issues can be addressed

and a plan developed to resolve issues face to face

• Documentation of conference can be provided and kept

PARENT CONFERENCE TIPS1. Use a conference form to plan your agenda and ensure you cover all topics. 2. Anticipate parents’ questions.3. Gather work samples, progress reports and grades.4. Be welcoming. Create a good seating arrangement.5. Be aware of your non-verbal communication.6. Begin with positive comments. 7. Avoid educational jargon.8. State what steps you have taken to solve issues.9. Determine what steps each of you will take next.10. Document the meeting in writing. 11. Update family contact information.12. Follow through on the plan.

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

CONS• Timing – Not easy to

write before student leaves

• Students may not deliver note/agenda to parent

PROS• Emotions can be

better controlled when writing

• All issues can be addressed with no interruptions

EFFECTIVE WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE TIPS

• Be brief. Be neat. Be accurate.• Include your concerns. Exclude emotions.• Have a colleague review your note.• Check with your administrator to see if there is

a school policy regarding written correspondence.

Newsletters and Webpages

CONS• Time-consuming• May not get home• No computer/Internet

access

PROS• Can share a lot of

information with many people

• Can be saved and referred to repeatedly

• Families look forward to the information on a routine basis

“NEWS” TIPSNewsletters and Webpages

• Keep it simple.• Use a template.• Keep your format the same for each issue.• Include important dates/deadlines.• Include the date and school contact information.• Maintain a schedule (weekly, monthly).• Print newsletter on colored paper.• Ask a colleague to proofread.• Keep a folder at your desk for information, pictures, etc. to include in the

upcoming newsletter.

Keeping Parent Contact Records

Why is this so important?

Share thoughts with your elbow partner.

When you get to your school, find out what the procedure is for keeping Parent/Family contact records.

HOW TO HANDLE ANGRY/UNCOOPERATIVE FAMILIES

1. Allow upset family members to begin with their concerns. 2. Listen. Listen. Listen. 3. Restate what you hear them saying to confirm that you understand their

concerns.4. Explain the problem from your perspective as objectively as possible.5. Express your desire to work together with parent for the child’s welfare.6. Ask a colleague to join you .7. If meeting escalates, state the Civility Clause.8. If you suspect a parent will contact your administrator, see him/her first to

present your point of view.

In Addition…TRANSLATING– Find out in advance who

can translate for you– Don’t count on the

Internet sites– Translate written and

oral communications when possible

OFF-SITE MEETINGS– Avoid situations that

could make you appear less than professional

– Party in a private location or out of county

Ticket Out

Quick Write - What was the most valuable piece of information you learned about family communication?

Learning Goal & Scale

Learning Goal:Participants will be able to

Score

4.0

Participant shows enhanced understanding of the relationship between family communication and increased student achievement by executing a monitoring system to track family contacts and student progress.

3.5 In addition to score 3.0 performance, in-depth inferences and applications with partial success

Score

3.0

The participant, has a complete understanding of how to communicate with families in various situations to increase student achievement

2.5 No major errors or omissions regarding 2.0 content and partial knowledge of the 3.0 content

Score

2.0

The participant has a moderate understanding of how to communicate with families and the effect it can have on student achievement.

1.5 Partial knowledge of the score 2.0 content, but major errors or omissions regarding score 3.0 content

Score

1.0

Participant has little understanding of how to communicate with families.

0.5 With help, a partial understanding of the score 2.0 content, but not the score of 3.0 content

Score 0 Participant has no understanding of how to communicate with families.

Post

-Ass

essm

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Please remember to complete

the evaluation in

True North Logic (TNL)

when you have access.