Knowledge is power. Knowing about your incoming students and families will help you prepare for the year. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.
Plan A
Send a letter to every incoming family. Include a brief bio of yourself and then share your expectations for the year (topics, behavior, etc.). Invite them to fill our a survey** and/or send you information about themselves (their interests in and out of school, if they like to read, their favorite sports/books/food, etc.). Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Plan B
Schedule an open house hour one evening before school begins. Provide a snack, charts for everyone to share their favorite things (color, subject in school, etc.). Make a voluntary survey **available for families to take home.
With Plan A or B
Invite parents to share specific issues they have about their kids with the understanding that you will set up brief conferences to cover their issues in the first few months of the school year.
**Family Survey for _________________________(child’s name)
- What are your family priorities for your child?
- How much time do you have each week to support home projects? Why?
- What do you see as your child’s greatest strengths?
- What do you see are your child’s greatest needs?
- What fears or concerns has your child shared with you about school?
- What other comments or what questions do you have for me?
- What is the best way to contact you? (Include your contact numbers or email address.)