Sanity Savers -> Working with Parents

Parent Communication

I use this system in my second grade classroom because parents were always stopping me to ask how their child was in class that day/week, etc. Since so much goes on during the day, it is rather difficult to remember everything, especially what one particular child did. (unless it was really big!!) I took plain manila folders and placed the student's names on the tab. (Since I teach in a Lutheran school, I use the other side for memory verses). In a public school, I'd probably let the kids decorate the folders. Then I laminated them for durability .Inside, with metal brads, I attach a copy of the current month, created on Calendar Creator, just Monday-Friday. Inside each date box is a smaller box labeled "initials". In the date box, I write if the student misbehaved in any way, or did something really great, was sick....anything parents need to know. I also include field trip reminders and programs or days off of school. If the child was well behaved, I put a smile face sticker in the box. Parents are told at the beginning of the year about this folder, and have to initial it every evening. Then I check in the morning if they signed it. It works wonderfully on communication for me and cuts down on the impromptu conferences. Plus parents have a record of every day of school so we can track any patterns immediately. They can also leave a note for me inside, since we both see it every day.

Laura Aukerman
Cleveland, Ohio

Conference Shortcut

I keep a file folder taped with 3x5 index cards taped along each side with student' names written on each one. I keep this handy in a tray on my desk, so whenever I need to jot something down about a student, it's just a arm's length away. It's easy to take home, too, if you have a free minute to add info. to the cards. Then when it comes to conferences, I tear out the card of that child and can reflect to parents things about the whole quarter to them. It's wonderful to open the file folder up and have positives and negatives written to share. One less stress to deal with during conference week.

Documentation

Unfortunately, documentation has become a big part of our profession. It sometimes seems overwhelming to remember who did what and when. For this reason, I keep a bound notebook in which I document daily happenings. Sometimes only a few words are necessary and on other occasions, several pages may be necessary. I teach second grade. It is often impossible to remember what happened and who was involved. This notebook is a life saver. It remembers when I cannot. Specific times and dates carry a lot of weight when confirming or disputing an incident.

Also, I use a similar notebook for parent-teacher conferences, those held over the telephone, in the parking lot, the cafeteria, or in the hallway. This information helps you to remember events when the "scheduled" conferences roll around. Again, the use of documentation is the key to credibility. It is not just, "I think I remember when." It is a definite. Try it, I promise you will like it!

- Dianne Bonvillain

De-Stressing Parent Conferences

For some parents and teachers, interviews can be stressful, especially if the news is not all good. To help provide a relaxing, non threatening environment I choose a large table in my class, cover it with a nice table cloth and put flowers on it. Quietly in the background I play a CD, something like Barbara Streisand or Tracy Chapman. I also make sure that I'm not sitting across from them, behind the desk but in front of them with the table off to the side. Many parents have commented on how much more enjoyable the experience was. Try it at your next set of interviews.

Nicole Ayienga c/o zabde@hotmail.com
Toronto, Ontario CANADA

Conference Breathers

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