Faith Calvo

Community and Family Engagement Plan

Part 3: Family Communication

To have efficient and reliable family communication is the foundation for strong familial
relationships. My pedagogy stems from understanding the student as a whole, which is why
knowing them on deeper levels- such as; academically, socio emotionally, and their special
needs- is important. Understanding these various aspects all me to choose appropriate,
effective strategies for each lesson. Every lesson and strategy has a time and place, in order to
choose the best possible one, I have to know my students. I am there to guide them, and as a
guide I have to understand which path would work best for each student. In order to
successfully teach my students, I therefore need to know their families as well. Knowing who my
students are outside of school, helps me to understand how to get them on the right path of
success. When a clear form of communication and understanding has been set in stone, then
students can flourish as a community, and we avoid any classroom management behaviors
(Weinstein et al, Elementary classroom management, 2011, chapter 6). Therefore, families will
have the opportunity to support and assist inside and outside the classroom- creating a deep
community of and for learning.
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5 Communication Strategies To Use

1. Meet the Teacher Letter

One of the best ways to introduce myself to all parents who are not
dropping off any students or cannot make it into the classroom is by sending
home a “Meet the Teacher” letter. In Figure 1, I have included a simple resource
that parents can use to ensure they know how I look, a little about myself, my
credentials, and a couple different ways to contact me. This letter is important to
send home so that I take any and every possible step to ensure that families know
they can count on me.

Figure 1. Meet the Teacher

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2. Home Visits Protocol

There is a growing body of research that suggests home visits are one of
the best ways to include and engage families in and out of the classroom. Home
visits are especially necessary for our culturally and linguistically diverse students
to ensure a welcoming atmosphere where parents understand that not only is
their child welcome, but so are they. Home visits can be done before the school
year begins or after it has started. I would like the opportunity to do most-if not
all- my home visits before the school year begins. In Table 1, I list the questions
that I would like answered by the time I leave my student’s home in both English
and Spanish, as well as a protocol I will follow.

Table 1. Home Visits Protocol

Setting up Home Visits:

❏ Set appointment- remind parents this is just to know how to

further assist students inside and outside the classroom and
how they would like to learn.
❏ Do I need a translator?
❏ Any background information?
❏ Pets I should be aware of
❏ Sensitivity to time in the neighborhood
❏ How the numbers on the houses are positioned
❏ Proper place to park
❏ Better to call or text
❏ Does the family require any resources that I may be able to
give contact information for?
❏ WIC
❏ Lawyer
❏ Therapy
❏ Suicide Awareness
❏ English Classes
❏ Parental Classes
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❏ Government Help

Discussion Questions (English)

★ What are __(student’s name)_ interests/ favorite activities?

★ What are his/her strengths?
★ What about you guys? What do you do for fun?
★ Where do you work?
★ What are your strengths?
★ What do you think they need to work on the most?
★ What are your hopes and dreams for your child?
○ How can I help to achieve these?
★ Would you like to visit the classroom one day? Maybe teach a
lesson on _______?
★ What do you do as a family together?
★ What does your child say when you ask them about school?
★ How was your life growing up? What was the community like?
★ What things at school make your child feel included?
★ Are there any home/family circumstances that I need to be
aware of in order to help your child?
★ What are you most proud about your son/daughter?

❖ ¿Qué son las intereses / actividades favoritas de _(nombre de

alumno)_?
❖ ¿Cuáles son las fortalezas de el/ella?
❖ ¿Y ustedes, qué hacen para divertirse?
❖ ¿Donde trabajan?
❖ ¿Cuáles son sus fortalezas?
❖ ¿Qué crees que necesita _(nombre de alumno) para mejorar?
❖ ¿Cuáles son tus esperanzas y sueños para tu hijo/a?
➢ ¿En que puedo ayudar para lograr esto?
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❖ ¿Te gustaría visitar la aula un día? Tal vez enseñar una lección
sobre _______?
❖ ¿Qué hacen en familia juntos?
❖ ¿Qué dice su hijo cuando les pregunta sobre la escuela?
❖ ¿Cómo creció tu vida? ¿Cómo era la comunidad?
❖ ¿Qué cosas en la escuela hacen que su hijo se sienta incluido?
❖ ¿Hay alguna circunstancia familiar / familiar que necesite tener
en cuenta para ayudar a su hijo?
❖ ¿Qué estás más orgulloso de tu hijo / hija?
3. Monthly Newsletters
Monthly newsletters will assist parents in knowing what is happening in the
school as well as the classroom. These will be included in both electronic (e-mail)
as well paper format. This way families know when things are going on, and when
they may be able to come in to volunteer. Figure 2, is a template that my
students and I will use to create a monthly newsletter.

Figure 2. Newsletter Template

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4. Stu
dent Led
Conferen
ces
Protocol
Stud
ent led
conference
s are a
fantastic
way to
create a
more
welcoming
informal
environme
nt to
discuss
student
learning. In this kind of conference it relieves the stress of the conference and
also allows for a deeper discussion between students and their caregivers about
school. In the end students have the ability to take more responsibility for their
learning, therefore they become more motivated and reflective. In this way
families will engage in learning and hopefully set goals together to support
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student learning. Figure 3 Is a S.M.A.R.T goals worksheet that students will fill out
prior to the conference. Figure 4 illustrates what is needed in a child’s self-made
portfolio to follow during the conference. Figure 5, is the reflective piece that will
be attached to each piece the students choose to include in their portfolio.

Figure 3. S.M.A.R.T Goals

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Figure 4. Portfolio Highlights

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Your Portfolio Needs:

❏ Table of Contents
❏ Data Tracking (These are your tests/Quizzes)
❏ Your Reflections and Reasoning
A piece you’re proud of from: A piece you can’t wait to improve
❏ Literacy on from:
❏ Science ❏ Literacy
❏ Social Studies ❏ Science
❏ Math ❏ Social Studies
❏ Math
These could be the SAME pieces! YOu are in charge of showing
growth, and pride in what YOU have done so far this year.

Figure 5. Self Reflection/ Reasoning

Reflections
The following questions will help you pick, and reflect on the pieces you will put in
your portfolio. Pick at least three questions to answer per piece that you will put
in your portfolio.

★ What makes this your best piece?

★ Why did you select this piece of work for your
portfolio?
★ If you could work further on this piece, what would you
do?
★ How is your work now different from your work at the
beginning of the year?
★ What skills have you learned from doing this piece?
★ What did you find most challenging about this project?
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5. Technology Based forms of Communication

In today’s age, getting loads of paper brought home from school can be
overwhelming- especially with families that have multiple students in the same
school. There’s also the constant need to remember every little thing. Instead of
just using paper and phone call methods to communicate I also plan to use other
methods like a Facebook Page and the website, remind.com.
Remind.com is a website that allows an exchange of text messages without
exchanging phone numbers. This is a great way to ensure a constant flow of
communication!
Image 1. Remind.com