Communication

Third Grade Communication Policy

    Students perform better at school when parent/teacher communication is positive.  We believe that students grow the most when parents and teachers work together to help students reach their learning potential.  Here are several key points on the third grade communication policy outlined to help both teachers and parents work together as a team for the benefit of the child.

Students First

    Please encourage your child to come to the teacher directly with any questions or concerns rather than email or write a note.  This saves time, empowers the child, and allows the child to develop their expressive communication and verbal skills.  It also fosters a sense of personal responsibility within the child.  Teachers appreciate this route more so than sending an email on behalf of the child.

Chain of Communication

1st step   =    Teacher & Student

2nd step  =    Teacher & Parents

3rd step   =    Parent & Principal

Agenda

    This year students will use an agenda to record behavior points and homework.  Each day, teachers will provide a model on the board for students to copy.  The student is responsible for writing in his/her agenda daily.  Parents must sign the agenda nightly to confirm their child is using the agenda as a communication tool from home to school.

Email

    Third grade teachers prefer to communicate in person or over the phone.  Email correspondence often lacks emotion and expression which can lead to confusion, ambiguity, or more emails.   If email is used, please convey short amounts of information.  Use the KISS rule (keep it simple sweetie) Here is a sample:

“Hi Mrs. Connell,

My daughter (name of the student) is having a hard time completing the homework each night.  Could I please speak with you at your earliest convenience? I am available to take your call between the hours of 6-8 PM.

Thank you,

Mrs. T”

    During the day, teachers are dedicated to serving the students.  Emails will be answered within 24 hours and after school.  Teachers may call rather than reply in an email as it does take longer to form a written response.  Be prepared to receive a phone call response rather than an email reply as teachers are inundated with email communication from administrators, colleagues, and parents.  A conversation is often faster, rather than replying to an email in writing.

    Teacher prep times are used for planning the lessons and meeting with teacher teams.  A teacher may or may not have time to answer emails within the school day depending on the daily schedule.  Thank you for understanding.

 ***NOTE : Please do not send an email through the teacher for your child such as “Please remind Jess to go to chess club today.”  Often, emails are not reviewed until after the time frame.

Conferences

    Teachers are available to meet with parents upon request after school dismissal.  Please schedule a time rather than “pop in”.  “Pop ins” to discuss academic or behavioral concerns are disruptive to the learning enviroment.  Teachers need time to prepare and be ready to provide parents with the best and most accurate information possible.  Even though a teacher may be working alone in a classroom, he/she might be unavailable to meet on the spur of the moment.  Prearranging a conference or phone call is ideal.

Dismissal Communication

    Teachers are primarily responsible for making sure students are  safe and being picked up by the approved adult or older sibling between 2:45 and 2:55 pm.  Please honor the safety and supervision of the remaining students yet to be picked up by refraining from lengthy discussions regarding your own child at pickup time.  As much as teachers would like to speak with you one on one at dismissal,  they are responsible for making sure all students have been accounted for by the end of the school day. Thank your for helping with this procedure.

Interfamily or Interstudent Communication

    Please send all birthday or party invitations through regular mail or email directly to the families/student rather than through the student at school or in class hosting the function.  This includes thank you notes for gifts and party invitations.  Students are keenly observant and feelings are often hurt when students invite a select few to outside functions.