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Getting Parents to Read Your Notes

I'm sure we've all been there: a note gets sent home, and it's never seen!
Getting Parents to Read Your Notes: Here are some hints on how to get your parents to actually READ the notes you send home about their child.

 
Parents are incredibly busy. It's a tough job. But somehow we've got to get them to read those notes!

Here are a few tricks:

Getting Parents to Read Your Notes: Here are some hints on how to get your parents to actually READ the notes you send home about their child.

I send home a newsletter once a week in my classroom. I always write a personal note to each parent on each newsletter. It goes home on Friday, and I ask them to sign them and return them on Monday.

Sound crazy? They are quick notes, and it's a definite investment in time: it pays off... it establishes a line of communication!  

How do I entice them to get in the habit of reading those weekly notes?

Getting Parents to Read Your Notes: Here are some hints on how to get your parents to actually READ the notes you send home about their child.

How to get the kids involved? 

I make sure I write a positive note about that child, and make sure the child knows about it! They'll go home and beg their parents to read it!

Here are a few examples:

Getting Parents to Read Your Notes: Here are some hints on how to get your parents to actually READ the notes you send home about their child.
Once you get the parents in the habit of checking the newsletter each week, they'll look forward to the notes. 

Of course, the notes are ALMOST always positive, but if something comes up during the week, you can be reasonably sure that note will be noticed, because you established the routine right away!
Getting Parents to Read Your Notes: Here are some hints on how to get your parents to actually READ the notes you send home about their child.

18 comments:

  1. Routine is essential and as we start the new school year, this is a great suggestion!! Thank you for sharing this idea!!

    Curls and a Smile

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  2. Great tip! Routine is so important and so is communication with the parents! Thank you!

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  3. I like the idea of having them sign it, then I know they got it!

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    1. Exactly! I save these every week!

      Sally from Elementary Matters

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  4. What a great post - getting parents to read the newsletter can be such a struggle! Last year I would periodically do a little "test" in my newsletter - in the middle of the "Important Information" section I would stick in a line that said, "If you're reading this newsletter carefully, initial in the top corner and send it in with your child for a special treat on Monday." Out of 24 students, I only get 4 or 5 back! Then, the kiddos started reminding their parents to read it carefully because they never knew when I was going to slip that in! :)

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

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    Replies
    1. That's a great idea! I do something like that for the kiddos on their homework. :)

      Sally from Elementary Matters

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  5. Great tip! I hated it when parents would email or call when I had sent the info home already in a note!

    Krazy Town

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  6. Thanks! The kiddos won't let them rest until they read it, if they know it's something good about them!

    Sally from Elementary Matters

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  7. I'm right there with you and have a similar system in place! I also have my 5th graders write a goal for the following week.

    Upper Grades Are Awesome

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  8. First, good for you for writing a note to each parent each week. YAY, You! (Lucky parents in your class!) Second, what a good strategy! I love how kids can be our "ticket" for getting things read. Thanks for sharing.

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

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  9. Thanks Kim! It's totally worth the effort to keep communication going!

    Sally from Elementary Matters

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  10. Love, love, love this! I send home a monthly newsletter because our school/district send home so many things throughout the month, but I definitely want to add the personal touch of writing a note on each one. Thanks for the great idea!
    Amanda
    Mrs. Pauley’s Kindergarten

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  11. I definitely do what I can establish a positive routine with parents. This is a great way to do that! Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Teaching,
    Cassie
    Adventures in Teaching (A First Grade Blog)

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  12. Great way to personalize those bulk communications!

    My Bright Blue House

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