Communication

[Berdy]

This school year I want to have a better communication system with parents & classroom organization. Does anyone know of a website or have any ideas as to how I can go about this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Nancy Reed]

Last year, I felt the same way because I had to make too many phone calls everyday. Instead, I got my class online. It makes life so easy. I use site, really easy to do the web page thing with it:

http://www.exambuddy.com/

[ADC]

Try using a site at nicenet.org it is a free use server for educators and allows you to set up an internet site between each of your classes to post homework, receive homework and of course to send/receive messages to/from parents and or students, it ties in with the home web address so that any message posted on nicenet is simultaneously posted to the home web email.

[Unregistered]

Getting your class online is a great idea, but in case that doesn't work for you here are some other things to think about.

At the beginning of the year I organize a 3-ring binder notebook (big one) with dividers for each student and a plastic sleeve into which I can put small notes, etc. Each time I send or receive a note or letter of importance, it goes in that notebook. I always make a copy of any letters I send home---very important! This is great documentation. It has come in handy several times.

Send home a weekly, biweekly, or monthly newsletter reminding parents of important dates, events, etc. & telling them what's been happening.

Use MOOSE folders (search on internet for some good sites) or FROG folders or some other to help students with organization.

Have a place for everything and TRY to keep everything in its place---this can save time, headaches, and patience on the part of teacher & students!

Good luck!

[Unregistered]

A Student info binder to keep contact info & notes to/from all students is a great help.

I use a monthly newsletter to highlight important dates and share any relevant curr info (eg students should practice xxx in order to develop yy skill, etc.)

Write short notes to/from families in student planners/agendas and encourage families to do the same, such as planned absences, excuse notes, quick questions. It cuts down on the little bits of paper that float around. There's a danger of students losing their agenda books but I've yet to have that happen and I've used this style with grade twos & fives. Of course, the really important notes should be on a separate page and do keep a copy for yourself (like the other suggestion).

Caution about going online: not every family might have access to the internet, depending on the demographic of your school.

Good luck!

[Bobbi Reed]

Have you checked out www.schoolnotes.com? You can register and post messages, homework asssignments, links and other information for parents and students. You can also allow them to contact you without directly giving out you User Name.
You might also consider having each student use a daily agenda or assignment pad in which you can contact individual parents on an as needed basis.
An additional suggestion is the use of a monthly or weekly calendar that is teacher or student made. Each child gets a copy for his/her own use.

[Sarah Anne]

Have you tried typing up a basic newsletter with a word processor. I started doing that a couple of years ago. It works great! I send one home with the kids every other Friday. The parents look forward to it and since I add a top achievements area, so do the kids.

[Young]

You can actually visit a website called My School Online at http://www.myschoolonline.com. I just created a webpage on this site and they allow you to create webpages related to your classroom, for PTA involvement, community webpages, etc. This web page is an excellent choice that you might want to consider and they also allow you to create newsletters, etc. from their templates. You can register for a free trial period for 30 days and if you decide to purchase a package, then you may also do this too. This site allows you to create webpages, homework assignments, create calendars, links of interest and other information for parents and students and yourself too. Good luck to you and I wish you much success.