Streamlining School Communication: Know how to stay in touch

Oct 6

Reading Time: 1 min 46 sec

Photo: teacher high-fiving student in a classroom

Do you know the best way to communicate with your child’s school?

Parents of school-aged children know it can be tricky to learn the nuances of school communication. Whether it's asking a question about your child's attendance, discussing a social-emotional issue, or a question about classwork, it can be confusing to decide where to start.

Fortunately, there are a few tips to staying on top of your child's school involvement.

The teacher is your starting point
Teachers are on the front lines and know the students best. They spend all day with them!

Know the name of your child’s teacher and if there are specific communication apps they use, download them and turn on notifications.
Establish an open dialogue and contact your child's teacher periodically to ask about your child's progress.
Schedule and attend parent-teacher conferences.

Follow your school’s basic protocols
Schools plan your child's school day for safety and practical reasons. Expect to take a little time to learn and understand protocols.

Be aware of your school's start and dismissal times to prevent avoidable attendance issues.
Know school 's arrival and dismissal procedures.
Learn your school's security protocols when visiting. Be prepared to undergo any routine safety checks.
Familiarize yourself with the front office staff, who can be a valuable source of information.
If your school has a parent portal, ensure you are signed up and active. Keep your contact information current and set communication preferences if possible.

When to escalate

If you’ve reached out to your child’s teacher and don’t feel you’ve received an adequate response, it might be time to escalate the conversation to administration.

Ensure the teacher knows you aren’t satisfied with their response to you. Give them a chance to provide more clarification.
Call the school's office and ask the most efficient way to talk to the principal. Some administrators may be terrible at responding to emails, while others might respond right away. You'll have better chances of getting quick attention by sending your message the preferred way.
You can always suggest a meeting with the principal if you feel it’s necessary.

At the heart of all clear communication is mutual respect and cooperation. Remember, all this communication is happening to achieve the same goal – your child’s success!