This post originally appeared on our ParentSquare Learning Network blog on May 22, 2020.
Curated by Amy Keith at ParentSquare
As school closures continue through the end of the school year, the challenges and successes of communicating to families during remote learning become apparent. What worked and what didn’t? How can we take what we’ve learned to be better prepared for next school year?
Teachers are reflecting on their thoughts about communication during remote learning and some of the best practices that they have implemented.
Below are some of the highlights from our Twitter Chat on May 20th moderated by Amy Moran (@amoran4). Participants joined in with #PSquareLN. You can view the whole chat here!
Q1: How Have Parent-Teacher-School Relationships Changed, Since the Shift To Remote Learning?
“I honestly feel that we have become better, more empathetic supporters of each other since remote learning began.” — Chris Quinn, @ChrisQuinn64
“Communication>Notification. Schools Ls have sought community stakeholder feedback, but now, the back-and-forth w/families is required for success of Ts and Ss. Parents also seem to have more specific Qs & initiate that input” — Monica (Barc) McGuire, @McGuireLearning
“For my district, we have had a lot more communication & more of a true partnership w/parents during #COVID19 than prior to our #schoolclosure . We have plans to put platforms in place this fall that are more equitable so that we can reach all Ss & families.” — Laura Steinbrink, @SteinbrinkLaura
“There has been more engagement with families, better relationships are being built, focus on collaboration and communication” — Rachelle Dene Poth, @Rdene915
“just did family teacher conferences last week and there was a palpable shift in ownership over the conditions for optimal learning.” — John Miller, @mexusmx
Q2: What Are Some Ways You Have Engaged and Supported Families Since School Closure?
“I have used @ParentSquare & all of its options much more than before we stated remote education. Forms, specifically have saved us a ton of time. Working to get hotspots out to those that needed them was very rewarding!” — Brandon Burns, @CoachBurnz
“First we listened & identified needs, at the district level we responded with a parent workshop series that supported those needs….everything from tech support to SEL support that looked like individual support, interactive workshops, videos, infographics, etc” — Sari Goldberg McKeown, @sgteach_sari
“we’re seeing heaps at the #k12 #school level – help desks, online FAQs, and of course remote learning websites, to try and make it easier for parents and families to support remote learning. Have seen some online Q&As. General increase in comms.” — Paula Cassin, @paulacassin
“We’ve been rocking it at @MartinWildcats #PSquareln Kindness Week, Weekly Phys. Ed Challenges, Live Art Stream, we posted lawn signs for our 8th Graders today…it truly has taken a village! Parents are supportive and appreciative” — Mr. Tarasevich JR, @mrt_mmsep
“Suppress my knee-jerk reaction to answer questions and suggest resources!! Instead, first empathize and help them collab w/ child to reach out to teacher/principal/social worker. Basically, help build capacity and acknowledge available resources. — Monica (Barc) McGuire, @McGuireLearning
“family google meet meetings, weekly video updates texted and emailed out to my families, encouraging the attendance of family oriented webinars, Astronomy Night, Maker Evening, to encourage family learning and discussions.” — Denise Wright, @DenisecWright
Q3: How Do You Communicate Enough but Not Too Much With Families? How Do You Avoid Overwhelm?
“Coordinate messages going out. Schedule days for classes/Ts to send out messages. We will implement training this fall on what is appropriate to send out, length, etc. to help alleviate message fatigue.” — Laura Steinbrink, @SteinbrinkLaura
“I send out learning experiences at the beginning of the week (for consistency) through @ParentSquare. Then I send reminders as needed.” — Amy Moran, @amoran4
“I anticipate that next year will be even trickier – if it’s hybrid or social distancing, potential to be very complicated for pick ups, drop offs, school at home…Comms will be super important, definitely need some organization at school level not just classroom level” — Paula Cassin, @paulacassin
“Communicate about communication!!!! I have always discussed communication preferences” — Sari Goldberg McKeown, @sgteach_sari
“A delicate balance when it comes to communication…a lot to do with ‘being there’ when needed. Weekly check-ins have been important. Our Kinder team (6 classes) provides a weekly Choice Board…balance of online and offline learning opportunities…flexibility!” — Chris Quinn, @ChrisQuinn64
Q4: What Are Personal and Empathetic Ways To Find Out How Families Are Doing? Other Than Straight Out Asking?
“definitely looking for ideas here, also had a great discussion today during our panel, check it out here https://crowdcast.io/e/wevideo-remote-learning” — Rachelle Dene Poth, @Rdene915
“It is all about relationships! Relationships are found in conversations….listening, demonstrating grace and patience, expressing a sense of understanding” — Sari Goldberg McKeown, @sgteach_sari
“my honors students are reading Human Touch #PSquareLN alot of the events in the novel are what the students have experienced over the past several weeks. Those convos have led to the question ‘how are you coping with all of this?’” — Mr. Tarasevich JR, @mrt_mmsep
“Check in’s with students gives away a lot, whether through hangouts, chats, or emails. @PlattsburgTiger has been awesome at sharing ways to get food, supplies, etc. that families might need!” — Amy Moran, @amoran4
“I created activities for Ss to choose from that could involve the whole family, and we posted as much information online, shared all the good happening in the district, and sent food home. Beyond just asking them, we tried to show support in more tangible ways.” — Laura Steinbrink, @SteinbrinkLaura
“Our counselor @CounselorMegan is doing happiness hours with the kids and I think that is a great way to check in! I also think Parent Camps could be helpful to get parents and families to open up!” — Bridget, @Ellislibrarian
Thank you to all who shared their opinions, advice, and reflections for this Twitter Chat!
