Chapter 1: Getting Started

Communication Between Home and Public School

Communication is at the core of all that we do as members of a team. Building a relationship that fosters openness, honesty and cooperation takes work. It requires a willingness from both parties to listen and share ideas.

Communication also takes many forms. It can be written, person to person, by telephone, or e-mail. This can create some interesting challenges. For example, did you know that:

55% of the way we communicate is non-verbally

• Body language
• Appearance
• Facial expression
• Eye contact
• Non-words (sighs, grunts, etc.)
• Environment

38% of the way we communicate is verbally

• Tone
• Pitch
• Volume
• Inflection

7% of the way we communicate is through words

• What we say

It is easy to overlook the potential impact that varying styles of communication can have on our ability to work together. They can make or break the team. That's why it is important to be able to step back and take a look at what each of us, as individual members of the team, can do to keep the communication open and positive. Maintaining effective communication can:

• Clarify the meaning of what was said, relieve doubt, anger, and anxiety;
• Help us to collaborate more creatively and efficiently; and
• Help identify solutions which preserve and build on a common interest - THE STUDENT.

Effective communication also includes a sensitivity and an awareness of each other's role and an ability to recognize when emotions are compromising the sense of partnership. This is why coordinating the flow of information among all the players must be a priority. The professionals on the team will need to gather critical information from you about the child's strengths and needs. They will also need feedback from you and others regarding how well the child is responding. As a parent, you will need to know to whom to talk when you have questions or when things aren't going well.

Set aside time at meetings to discuss a process for communication between meetings or, you might prefer to meet with each team member individually at the beginning of the school year to determine what will work best for each of you. Do you want to meet regularly to discuss progress and concerns? Can you send a notebook back and forth between home and school? Will phone calls once a week or twice a month work? Choose the option that works best for all concerned. Then work hard to stick with it.

On the pages that follow in this section, you will find some strategies for getting yourself organized. Included are tips for keeping track of communication between home and school. All are designed to help you advocate efficiently and effectively on your child's behalf.

What Has Worked For Me As A Teacher... As an individual involved with a team of other professionals and parents, I believe it is my duty/responsibility to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with the others. Again, daily contact places an additional strain on teachers. Howerver, I also contact parents when students are falling behind on assignments, or when I have specific concerns about an individual student. I also make an effort to contact parents when the child has done something good, kind, etc.