This post originally appeared on our ParentSquare Learning Network blog on October 30, 2020.
Curated by Elizabeth Garcia at ParentSquare
During these first few months back at school, teachers have had to work harder than ever to ensure that students are engaged. How can we best support students as they continue to tackle remote learning? In what ways can we help parents bring the classroom community to their homes? How can we improve our communication methods during remote learning?
On October 28th, we hosted a Twitter Chat to check in with teachers about how they have managed school-home communication during this unusual school year so far. We talked about how we can best communicate with families this year in order to create a great school experience for students remotely.
Thank you to Rachelle Dene Poth, Director of Community for the ParentSquare Learning Network (@Rdene915), for moderating this Twitter Chat. Participants joined with the hashtag #PSquareLN. The full chat is available here, and you can view the highlights below!
Q1: What Changes Have You Made in How You Communicate With Families This Year?
“Not a change but I share a digital portfolio with families about what we do and learn everyday. It really helps to celebrate learning, reduce some inquiries & give more direction & intent to other questions.” — J Hamilton, @mrmakemathsense
“Making personalized screencasts for students and families to provide explanations, weekly videos to share about our week ahead, texting back forth.” — Denise Wright, @DenisecWright
“I use videos a lot more often since the closures and re-opening of school! During closure I sent 5 minute behavior videos to families each week! This year I am more focused too on asking families how they prefer to communicate and use what works best for them!” — Lindsay Titus, @ltitus828
“I have made more of an effort to send emails and make connections, learn about the students and specific needs of the family.” — Rachelle Dene Poth, @Rdene915
“This year, I treat Ps* as true partners in the edu process instead of a barrier. Not sure why we think that way, but we edus** do tend to see Ps as the speed bump. Streamlining communication, adding personal touches, & checking on their well-being has been key.” — Laura Steinbrink, @SteinbrinkLaura
* “Ps” stands for “Parents”
** “edus” stands for “educators”
Q2: Why Can Setting up Communication With Families Be Scary at Times? How Can We Work Around That?
“To me, anything unknown can be scary, + if we aren’t sure how a parent may react/respond, that can increase the fear we feel. I’ve found getting to know parents as people helps! Find out their goals + hopes for their child + always listening more than speaking!” — Lindsay Titus, @ltitus828
“I have always had wonderful relationships with my families because it is communicated in the very beginning that we are a team, partners in education, and I give them compassion, empathy, and grace.” — Donna McCance, @donna_mccance
I am concerned if we over communicate with families, they will start to get fatigued and disregard the info. We need to be deliberate and brief.” — Dr. Maribeth Edmunds, @DrMBEdmunds
“Families and students can be overwhelmed and that convo can be scary. This is a new way of learning, but, being positive and upbeat helps!” — Denise Wright, @DenisecWright
“We tend to automatically think the convo will become or end up negative, & sometimes we bring that upon ourselves with whether or not we start the parent/T* relationship with positive communication about their child. Our attitude can also make all the difference!” — Laura Steinbrink, @SteinbrinkLaura
*“T” stands for “teachers”
“Sometimes we don’t always know how to approach a family. We can change this by developing a relationship with them day one through quick check ins to positive emails.” — Amy Moran, @amoran4
Q3: How Can We Help Students and Families With Transitions Between Remote and Hybrid Learning During This School Year?
“Time, options and flexibility.” — J Hamilton, @mrmakemathsense
“Communication needs to be as timely and compassionate as possible. Our admin calls our families weekly to remind them that the school may close suddenly and they need to keep plans in their back pockets.” — Bri Knox, @briknox1
“Make sure we have methods and tools in place that work in any learning environment.” — Rachelle Dene Poth, @Rdene915
“Taking small steps, repeating routines, and helping them understand various platforms can be a support for families. Clear expectations should be communicated to families at the outset.” — Dr. Maribeth Edmunds, @DrMBEdmunds
“Check ins, emails, phone calls, and even online calls.” — Amy Moran, @amoran4
“Communication! Phone, email, personal notes, a home visit!* — Stephen Kelley, @stephenkelly85
*Be sure to do so safely!
Q4: It Is Important To Focus on Well-Being and SEL? How Can We Help Parents To Practice SEL at Home? What Are Your Favorites Ideas or Resources?
“I’ve found it very helpful to give the parents access to our school counselor’s page. It has so many handy videos or games on it to help students & parents to work on their skills together or alone. Even though it’s all geared towards students, it is beneficial to all.” — Paige Fox, @PaigeFo59311849
“Sending praise to Ss and Ps, thanking them for what they are doing, taking time to listen, caring mainly things a relationship needs to work.” — Amy Moran, @amoran4
“For SEL at home, I focus on keeping ideas small, simple + strategic. Small meaning something that will take them 5 minutes or less. Simple meaning they have the materials right now. And Strategic meaning is what they need right now. And then we build from there!” — Lindsay Titus, @ltitus828
“@EMercedLearning does a great job of dropping quick #SEL technique vids to show Ps what strategies Ss* practiced that day/well so they can reinforce at home. Now we can add strategies for the Ps to help them self-regulate, like deep breathing, giving grace, etc.” — Laura Steinbrink, @SteinbrinkLaura
* “Ss” stands for “students
“Well-being, mental health, joy & happiness will always trump a math worksheet. What’s the point of our Ss learning if they’re miserable and unwell while they do it? What could be the long term ramifications of such actions? Focus on family time, communication, and collaborative home activities. Bake cookies, make three course dinner together, watch Karate Kid on Netflix (still a classic).” — J Hamilton, @mrmakemathsense
“We use the zones of regulation and we have a class of it on Google Classroom that families can learn together. It’s helping them learn to talk about how they feel with one another.” — Bri Knox, @briknox1
Thank you to everyone for sharing your resources and advice on our Twitter Chat!
Posted Friday, October 30, 2020
