Teachers - how do you communicate with your students' parents?
 

I posted this in another forum where it was under a different title, but thought I'd bring it "home". Soror Mods, I performed a search and didn't see anything about this, but if there is, do your thang!

For the teachers. . .

Do any of you have a system where the parents can check up on their childrens' homework assignments, grades, etc.? My daughter's teacher asked me for my e-mail address at a meeting a couple of weeks ago, and I just received an e-mail from her about her school's online gradebook. The website is teacherease.com, and it's a way that the teacher will post grades, assignments, progress, behavior problems, etc. I think it's a great idea. I understand also that some schools implement the phone system where there's a recorded message left for the parent that will give their child(ren)'s progress.

I'd love to hear your success stories or disappointments with this communication system. Also, if you're a parent whose school uses this type of system, I'd love to hear your feedback as well.

Since I'm not in the classroom anymore, per se, I don't have to deal with parents. When I was, I communicated with my parents all the time via phone and visits. I maintained a good rapport with my parents. I was always available (during school hours).

Teachers and parents have the option to coummunicate virtually on a case-by-case basis. You have to determine what method is best. Everyone does not have accessibility to computers. We must be mindful of the population involved.

Keeping parents informed is imperative, regardless of the technique. I hope this method works well for you.

I call or e-mail and halfway through the grading period, we send progress reports home.

they don't always make it to the parents but i have a sign-out sheet for them and it's enough to CYA.

to be honest, i have so many students that i don't make any special attempts to reach out to parents unless they ask.

I usually call or email. I know our district is moving towards a system where our lesson plans and homework our on the online, but unless a child is failing I rarely call, every blue moon I will call to say someone is really a great kid. I don't have the time anymore to do all that though, since we moved from 4 classes to 7. It sucks!