Interacting with Parents

When interacting with parents, it is very important to make as many positive referrals home about the students. This will make difficult situations a little easier to deal with because you have already made that connection with the parents. It may make you uneasy to initiate the first contact, however, the benefits are endless! By making contact with the parents, they will feel more comfortable contacting you, and you with them.

Be prepared when talking with parents -- have examples of student work, have a purpose for the conversation, find out who you are contacting, prepare notes about the student, and predict issues that may arise so you can be ready to discuss them. Be confident in your interactions, even if you don't feel it! (Dixie, 2011).

Parental Involvement

There is plentiful research noting that when parents are involved in the school environment, student achievement, behaviour, values, and character are improved (Marchesani, 2007).

A model, noted by Marchesani, known as the Epstein's Model discusses six aspects of parental involvement (2007).

Roadblocks (Marchesani, 2007):

• Sometimes parents are intimidated by school professionals and only deal with the school when misbehaviour occurs.
• Many parents are unavailable to come to the school because of work or caring for other children.
• Some parents simply don't want to come because they have their own lives and activities with their children. Respect their views without jugement, but keep them informed!

Helpful Hints on having parent helpers (Nathan, 1995)

• Find out the school's practice in using parents as helpers - explain to parents
• Ask colleagues how they organize having parents in their classrooms
• Ask parents what their interests are
• Make sure organization is set in place for the parents to refer to - be prepared
• Make parents feel welcome when they arrive - they are unpaid volunteers
• Create a briefing sheet for parental use
• Share learning objectives with parents
• Parents can prep materials while you address the class
• Take time to talk with the parent afterward - thank them!

Ways to communicate with parents (Marchesani, 2007):

• Weekly progress reports or newsletters
• Good news communication
• Classroom invitations
• Dining in - have a potluck!
• Community outreach 0- prepare an activity for students and parents to participate in 
• Parental participation - hassisting in the classroom or presenting about their career/job/hobbies
• Class website/blog