Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/81027
Susan Esquivel greets parent Marta Iglesias-Xamani and her son David Marselli. together, students earn better grades and are less likely to drop out, reports the National Education Association. Good communication between home and school is essential to helping students succeed, say researchers from Iowa State University, yet strategies for establishing communication are overlooked in teacher training. Perhaps it should be emphasized, since 20 percent of new teachers identify parent relation- ships as causing "significant stress," accord- ing to a MetLife survey. When teachers and parents work Good communication from the beginning "Parents are the first teachers for children, so it's important for teachers to have a posi- tive relationship with them," says Thomas Prather, a fourth-grade teacher at Grant Elementary School in Richmond. "The only link between home and school is the parent. Without that, you've got two worlds unconnected with each other. and many CTA members are determined to start the new school year on the right foot Nothing is worse than angry parents, " 10 California Educator September 2012 by improving their communication skills. Parents surveyed said they prefer Internet communication such as e-mail, an online parent portal, or e-newsletters. However, this may not work in low socioeconomic areas where families lack Internet access. Prather tells parents how important they are at a Back to School Night and explains exactly what his expectations are for students when it comes to class work, homework and behavior. He also calls parents during the first week of school — usually before problems arise — to set a positive tone. "I tell them their child had a good day. They may be used to teachers calling them to say their child had a bad day. It's a good way to start the school year. It builds trust and camaraderie between parent and teacher. And it makes it easier when I call next time, if there are problems." Parents are encouraged to discuss their but the wrong tone can set parents on edge, adds Prather. Instead of saying, for exam- ple, that Johnny is misbehaving, it might work better to ask a parent, "What can we do, working together, to get Johnny back on track?" Teachers may have the best intentions, Connecting with parents of tweens and teens There is typically a communication drop- off in secondary school, say teachers. Par- ents may feel the child is "too old" for them to stay in touch with a teacher, they are "too busy, truth, says Anita Williams, a sixth-grade math, science and AVID teacher at Painted Hills Middle School in Desert Hot Springs. "I am the mother of twin middle school Nothing could be further from the " or it's not as important. concerns with him before or after school. Those who check in regularly have students who perform better and sometimes offer to volunteer in the classroom, says the United Teachers of Richmond member. girls and a ninth-grader, so I know it's important for teachers and parents to stay connected in middle school. Kids are going through hormonal changes, identity changes and looking for a best friend. So teachers and parents need to talk." At Back to School Night she tells par-