Transcript Summer Leadership Institute

NEW BEGINNINGS
2014
Communicating with Parents
Jackie Atkinson and Linda Bradley
August 6 & 7, 2014
Leesburg High School
BELL RINGER
With your elbow partner share
a personal experience you
have had during a
communication between a
parent and a teacher.
Common Board Configuration
Date: August 7, 2014
Common Language: FSL(Family School
Bell Ringer: Share a personal communication
Liaison), PRC(Parent Resource Center,
PBS(Positive Behavior System), IEP(Individual
Education Plan)
Learning Goals: Participants will understand
Agenda: Gradual Release
I DO
experience between teacher and parent.
how to communicate with parents in various
situations in order to increase student
achievement.
Benchmarks:
Domain 4:
Collegiality and Professionalism
Objective: Participants will identify the types
of communication available to teachers and
discuss ways to implement each one during
the 2014-2015 academic year.
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Explain various communication methods
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Discuss how parents can best
communicate with parents.
Compare communication methods,
discuss pros and cons of each.
WE DO
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YOU DO
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Plan the communication methods that will
work best for your situation.
Summarizing Activity: Methods of
communication
Essential Question: How do we strategize the Next Steps: Determine your needs based on
way we communicate with parents in order to
achieve success for our students.
grade levels and experience.
LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Vision Statement
• A 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 Statement
• The mission of the Lake County Schools is to provide every student with
individual opportunities to excel.
• Lake County Schools is committed to excellence in all curricular
opportunities and instructional best practices. This focus area
addresses closing the achievement gap, increased graduation rate,
decreased dropout rate, increase in Level 3 and above scores on the
FCAT, achieving an increase in the number of students enrolled in
advanced placement and dual enrollment opportunities and
implementing the best practices in instructional methodology.
MARZANO/TEAM FRAMEWORK
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Communicating Learning Goals and Feedback
Establishing Rules and Procedures
Helping Students Interact with New Knowledge
Helping Students Practice/Deepen Knowledge
Helping Students Generate/Test Hypotheses
Engaging Students
Planning/Preparing for Lessons and Units
Planning/Preparing for Resources & Technology
Planning/Preparing for Special Student Needs
Developing/Monitoring a Professional Growth Plan
21ST CENTURY SKILLS
TONY WAGNER, THE GLOBAL ACHIEVEMENT GAP
1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
2. Collaboration and Leadership
3. Agility and Adaptability
4. Initiative and Entrepreneurialism
5. Effective Oral and Written Communication
6. Accessing and Analyzing Information
7. Curiosity and Imagination
RESEARCH AND LAW
• 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%
at Title I schools.
• FLDOE recognizes PI as an educational strategy.
PURPOSES OF PARENT
COMMUNICATION
To Foster home-school
relationships
• Open communication
between teacher and
parent
• Understand individual
challenges
• Help make timely decisions
about students
• Take proactive steps to
avoid miscommunications
To support student
learning
• Notify parents 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 parents?
COMMUNICATION
METHODS
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Phone
Email
Parent Conference
Open House/Meet the Teacher
Hand-written note
Newsletter
On-Line gradebook
Web page
Friday folder
Friday grade sheet
Agenda/Assignment Notebook
Teacher Prescription Pad (Title I schools only)
Family School Liaison (FSL) - (Title I schools only)
Elementary:
• Beverly Shores
• Clermont Elem
• Eustis Elem
• Eustis Heights
• Fruitland Park
• Groveland Elem
• Humanities & Fine Arts
• Leesburg Elem
• Mascotte Elem
• Rimes Early Learning
• Sawgrass Bay
TITLE I SCHOOLS
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Spring Creek
Tavares Elem
Triangle Elem
Villages Elem
Secondary:
• Carver Middle
• Oak Park Middle
• Leesburg High
CAROUSEL ACTIVITY
• 1. Brainstorm with the other members of your group the pros
and cons of each parent communication method.
• 2. Write your responses using the colored marker given to
your group.
• 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 the same
colored marker given to your group.
• 5. Rotate around the room, adding to each chart, if possible.
• 6. Engage in a group review of the information gathered.
GROUP DISCUSSION…
PHONE CALLS
PROS
• Reduce misunderstandings
and miscommunications
• Take less time than writing
to explain
• All questions/concerns can
be discussed and a plan
agreed upon by both
parties.
CONS
• Difficult to reach parents
whose numbers constantly
change.
• Voicemail messages on
home phones can be
deleted by students.
• Parents sometimes don’t
answer calls generated
from school.
PHONE TIPS
• Don’t give out your personal phone number.
• When calling parents at work, confirm that
they have time to talk.
• Remain business-like.
• Call early in the year.
• Call to report positives, not just negatives.
• Return parent call within 24 hours, if possible.
• Keep a record of your calls and call attempts.
EMAIL
PROS
CONS
• Provides evidence of
contact.
• Takes time to explain
situations.
• Quick way to request
parent conference.
• Not all parents have
access to email or share
email address.
EMAIL 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 TEACHER
PROS
• Opportunity to
present a lot of
information to a large
group.
• Opens the door for
on-going
communications.
• Gives parents visual
impression of your
professionalism.
CONS
• The parents you most
need to meet often
do not attend.
• Some parents expect
private conference.
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 parents
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 CONFERENCE
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.
CONS
• Scheduling.
• Some parents are
unable to attend
during school
hours.
PARENT CONFERENCE TIPS
1. 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. (IEP, PBS, etc.)
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 parent contact information.
12. Follow through on the plan.
HOW TO HANDLE
ANGRY/UNCOOPERATIVE PARENTS
1.
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Allow upset parent to begin with their concerns.
Listen. Listen. Listen.
Restate what you hear them saying to confirm that
you understand their concerns.
Explain the problem from your perspective as
objectively as possible.
Express your desire to work together with parent for
the child’s welfare.
Ask a colleague to join you.
If parent is loud, insulting or uses obscenities, state
the Civility Clause.
If you suspect a parent will contact your
administrator, see him/her first to present your point
of view.
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.
NEWSLETTER TIPS
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Keep it simple.
Use a template.
Keep your format the same for each issue.
Include important dates/deadlines.
Include the current date and school contact
information.
Maintain a schedule (weekly, monthly).
Print on colored paper.
Ask a colleague to proofread.
Keep a folder at your desk for information, pictures, etc.
to include in an upcoming newsletter.
KEEPING PARENT CONTACT
RECORDS
Why is this so important?
IN ADDITION…
• TRANSLATING
• Find out who can
translate for you in
advance.
• Don’t count on the
Internet sites.
• Translate written and
oral communications
when possible.
• OFF-SITE ENCOUNTERS
• Avoid situations that
could make you appear
less than professional.
• Party in a private
location or out of
county.
SUMMARIZING ACTIVITY
• Which method of parent communication will
you find most useful? Why?
• Share with your elbow partner.
PARTICIPANT SCALE AND
REFLECTION
4-Innovating
• In addition to
criteria of
Applying,
enhanced
understanding,
implementation,
monitoring, and
execution take
aways
3-Applying
• Consistent
understanding
and
implementation
steps taken away
along with
monitoring
componets for
effective
execution
2-Developing
• Moderate
understanding
and
implementatio
n steps taken
away
1-Beginning
0-Not Using
• Little
understanding
and inconsistent
implementation
steps taken
away
• No
understanding
or
implementation
steps taken
away
New Beginnings 2014