chools work with a variety of consumers on a daily basis: the community, the students they teach every day, and even the school district itself. Perhaps one of the most important consumers is the parents, both a part of the community and the authority figure raising the children you see every day. Though many parents may walk or drive their children to and from school or attend regular sporting events, schools often struggle with the best ways to communicate with them. And, as many of you have already discovered, parent communication can make or break your school year.

In the long run, parent communication may not be as difficult as you think. With current technology and effectively publicizing the things you already do regularly, you can increase parent communication with ease.

Manage a Web Site

Most districts and local schools have taken the first steps toward effective communication in the 21st Century. Developing and maintaining an effective Web site is an integral part of timely communication. A site that is easy to navigate and contains the most-requested information is a start, but the site must also be professional in content and appearance. Our content writers and updaters can help you accomplish this seemingly daunting task by creating and maintaining your site. Then, encourage school staff members to link their own Web sites to the school sites. We can help you with this as well, with our new My Teacher Site feature.

Create a School Newsletter

A school newsletter taken home with children can be another effective mode of communicating with parents. It’s especially easy since students take care of the delivery for you—you just have to create it! Many desktop publishing programs exist today and are likely already on your computer. Ask a veteran teacher with editing and computer skills to help develop this as a leadership activity. She can solicit articles from the staff and include a short calendar of events and a message from the principal. Have grade level teams submit updates to include in the newsletter and don’t forget to publish the finished product on your Web site!

ork with the Media.The media can be a huge asset to your school and, if you are located in a small community, you likely already have a relationship with a local reporter or photographer. Further develop that relationship by regularly sending information about upcoming events to the reporter, especially those that involve students and are visual in nature. Many large metropolitan newspapers have community or education features and reporters are always looking for fresh pieces to place here. When possible, take the opportunity to comment on issues such as No Child Left Behind, standardized testing results, redistricting, or even national educational issues. Not only can the media help get your school’s name in print and in front of parents, but it can also help you promote your upcoming programs and events. And, parents love to see their child’s name in print after the event!

Encourage Parent Involvement

Most schools hold regular events to get parents to the school, such as conferences, carnivals, and awards assemblies, but you must effectively promote the events to make them a success. Use your Web site, school newsletter, and the media to your advantage to help accomplish this. But also welcome parents to your school, provide plenty of opportunities for them to volunteer at their convenience, and help them get a parent-teacher organization up and running. If your school is home to a high ELL population, ask bilingual staff to help with this. You can also host family nights to spotlight student work or to educate parents in helping their child at home. Just be sure to make the parents as welcome as possible by holding events at times convenient to working parents and offering translation if necessary.

Getting in touch with parents may seem like a daunting task. A Web site, parent newsletter, and working with the media can help you to encourage parental involvement on a regular, consistent basis. It is important to remember that communication can open many doors for schools. And, the further your door is open, the more you will likely get in return from parents, your consumers.

By Abby Perry
Teacher (MS in Curriculum & Instruction), Writer (for MyTeacherSite.org & School Webmasters), Editor (American Book Publishing), and mother.