Teacher-Tested Tips:

Back to school postcards
Submitted by: Mrs. Shaver
Mail out postcards (staples has a great selection) that welcomes back students. It gives them your name and let's them know who their teacher will be. Iv'e done it for grades 4-6 and the upper grades.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8

Class Brochure
Submitted by: Tara, 2-3 Teacher
I have found that a lot of information needs to be sent home at the beginning of the school year. I put together a brochure using Microsoft Publisher. The brochure has 6 columns. On one column I put my letter to the parent, on another I put information about homework and classwork, school phone numbers, book reports th... more »»
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5

Expectations Letter
Submitted by: Fran, 7th
I am starting out the year by writing a letter to the parent/student giving background information on me and my expectations for the year. Also, I include supplies needed and my classroom rules and policies/procedures. I make a copy of the letter for each child to take home and have the parent sign and return. This eliminates problems later in the year when a student tries to say they didn't know what my expectations were, etc.
Grade Level(s): 6-8, 9-12

Get Parent Signature Papers Returned
Submitted by: W Connelley
I get plain pocket folders, on the left hand side I write, "LEFT- Work to be left at home". On the right side of the folder I write, "RIGHT- Work to be read, signed, and brought right back to Mrs. C." Not only do the students get the important papers back but they also seem to pick up on left and right much faster.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Getting Needed Supplies through Parent Contributions
Submitted by: Barbara, Preschool
Make a tree about two feet high out of construction paper to put on the bulletin board. Close to the door so that is visible when parents enter the classroom. Label the tree "Our Giving Tree". Make apples and write on each apple something that the class may need during the school year that the school does not provide. (glitter, feathers, zip lock bags, Kleenex, snacks, etc.) At open house or orientation parents are then invited to take an apple and send in the needed supplies. Also, on a chart paper write: Thank you for taking an apple from our giving tree and contributing to our classroom. In case the parent did not hear the explanation of the Giving Tree. more »»
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5

Highlight Events of the Year with Newsletter
Submitted by: Mary Seitz, Grade 3
For the beginning of the year make a "Third Grade Highlights" newspaper with activities grouped by 6 weeks for parents to keep...for instance....field trip dates (you will at least know the 6 weeks they will fall in)... What's expected in A.R. points.... What math facts you are working on... open house, etc.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

If You Need Me
Submitted by: Neitarsha, 4th
On the first day of school, I give parents my "Contact Card." This card is the size of a business card and it can easily be kept with a parent's driver's license or credit cards. On this card is my room number, my home phone number, the school's phone and fax numbers, and my e-mail address. This way parents have a variety of ways to reach me. This also makes parents feel that you are availible when they need you.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Let Parents & Students Know Expectations
Submitted by: Alice Phillips, Grades 7-12
Have a syllabus/overview letter indicating expectations, class rules, supplies and manner of computing grades on the first day of school. Have students and parents sign and return by end of first week.
Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Organizing All Those First Day Papers for Parents
Submitted by: Claudia
We have a lot of papers to send home the first day. I buy pocket folders for the class. In one pocket I put all of the papers that need to be signed and returned with a sheet in the front labeled "please sign and return." In the other pocket I put all of the info that needs to be kept and read and put a sheet of paper in front "please keep and read." I tell the children to return the signed papers in the folder, and then I can reuse the folders at another time.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Positive Parent Communication Before School Begins
Submitted by: Ellen Gleitman, 2
I write to each parent before school starts. I include a friendly letter to the child and an introductory letter to the parents. I also include a survey for parents to fill out (form attached at end). I ask parents to fill out the form and mail it back to me before school begins. Then, the weekend before school starts,... more »»
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Student information & parent communication
Submitted by: Mary F. Carr, 3rd
At the first of the year, each child is assigned a heavy duty zip lock bag. In this bag I keep all notes from parents, tardy slips, conduct reports, etc. This enables me to find a child's information for parent conferences or any other record keeping needs.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Student information/parent communication
Submitted by: Kim Dombrosky, 1st
At the beginning of the year, I send home a student inofrmation sheet for parents to complete. I place the sheets into a 3 ring binder along with a clear page protector. I use the page protector to collect tardy slips, notes from parents, etc. I have everything I need at my fingertips when I have a parent conference, go on a field trip, or make parent contacts.
Grade Level(s): Preschool, K, 1-2, 3-5