Getting ready for 2021: Whanau

Whānau, family members and parents are an important part of the classroom - just like your students. All parents want the best for their little kiddies (even though it might not come across that way sometimes). When starting your year, there are some important things you should think about and plan to start your year. Schools might have particular expectations that you can work with like how to communicate with parents (on an app, in person, set times) and for things like parent teacher conferences. Setting up (in your mind) what you want to achieve over the year will help it be a success. 

In my top tips below, I share some pictures of resources and things I use in my classroom to communicate with parents. The main form of contact I use is Seesaw - an online learning portfolio journal that allows seamless sharing of photos and evidence from school with parents and family members. There is also a messaging part to be able to contact parents - all in one place. 
I know schools use different things and I guess it is about negotiating what you can and can't use. 

A big thing for me with families is facebook and personal messaging. I absolutely REFUSE to add any parents as friends on facebook; give out my personal cellphone number and have conversations at absurd hours of the night. That is something that I have always stuck with since I began teaching, and feel that my facebook page is my personal life - the small part I have seperate from school. 
I worked at a school that lived their entire school community on facebook. It was INSANE trying to stop parents messaging me on facebook, ignoring friend requests and even facebook calling! It was just something I can not do and won't change for a job. If there is something you are firm about, then stick to your guns, be true to what you believe in and be consistent. Parents soon learnt to contact me via email or come in and visit me. Also accepting phone calls or emails at 10.30pm at night is a NO go. I will respond at resonnable times of the day. 

Check out my top tips to get set up with parents! Want to learn more about Seesaw? Check out all of my Seesaw blog posts, resources and how to get set up if you are looking for an amazing way to communicate with parents and whānau. 
Some of my resources pictured above are available for download! The 'meet the teacher' resource can be downloaded via the 'Mrs P's Teacher Hub link'. I made up the learning story template on Google drawings which involves text boxes and layering - super simple to make! Download my happy grams template freebie on this post! As always, if you need any help or have any questions email me info@mrspriestleyict.com