When parents and teachers come together as a team, students are supported from all sides and can thrive. As teachers, we\u2019ve seen the incredible things that happen when educators and families build lasting partnerships. So, we wanted to join in on the conversation of teachers helping teachers by sharing our tips with you.<\/p>\n
1. Start with Home Visits and Communicate Regularly.\u00a0<\/strong> 2. Host Distance Learning Tech Orientations for Parents<\/strong> 3. Connect with Families through Weekly<\/strong> Community Meetings\u00a0<\/strong>
\nOne of the first touchpoints teachers and leaders have with families is an annual home visit. Every fall, our teachers and leaders visit the home of every student we serve to learn more about their family, life, and experiences outside of school. During school closures, teachers set up zoom calls with every family. By changing the dynamic from parent in a teacher\u2019s classroom to teacher in a parent\u2019s home, we are able to develop much deeper ties with our parents that carry through the school year and beyond. We also strongly prioritize parent-teacher communication by texting and emailing parents throughout the week about their child\u2019s progress, as well as inviting parents in for three parent-teacher conferences throughout the year. These combined efforts help build keep communication consistent to help every child stay on track and get the support they need both in the classroom and at home.<\/p>\n
\nUniversal virtual learning wasn\u2019t something anyone predicted, but it was something that we had limited time to adapt to. Once we knew that our schools would be returning virtually, we knew that it was our role to make sure our families had the resources they needed to make virtual learning a success. After providing all of our students with a personal Chromebook and wireless hotspot, we knew the next step was to help families become comfortable with these tools. We hosted virtual orientation sessions to acquaint students and families with the technology and tools that we would be using virtually. Based on the results, we highly recommend other schools do the same. Here, parents were able to troubleshoot programs, ask questions, and become ready for the school year. Families left feeling empowered and prepared for the start of our virtual school.<\/p>\n
\nAt Rocketship, we know that our greatest stakeholder will always be the parents and families that entrust us with their children every day. This means that as educators, we must prioritize time listening to and learning from these families whether it\u2019s in-person or virtually. These principal-led meetings help the leadership team connect with families, learn what\u2019s working and where we can grow. Families join to stay in-the-know on school updates and learn new ways to help their children thrive. We recently held a Parent Coffee that not only served as a time for our families to connect with the school team but also as an opportunity to remind families their voice matters and encourage them to register to vote. Adding a theme to these weekly or monthly gatherings can not only help improve attendance but also help build school culture by focusing on subjects that are important to the school community. If you\u2019re looking for tips to host your own community meetings, this resource<\/a> offers a step-by-step guide to get started.<\/p>\n