21st Century Parent Communication
"I never got that note?" "Why is my kid failing?"
Why we have to change our ways of communication...
If our only form of communication is by paper (which never makes it home), or email (which may not be checked in a timely manner) then we are only hitting about 22% of our families.
We are going to get our messages across to more families by expanding our forms of communication. Not all families have a computer or tablet at home, but I can almost guarantee everyone has a cell phone and most if not all are on Facebook or Twitter at least once a day!
Facebook, Twitter, and text messages hit the majority of our families. This S'MORE gives apps and sites that will help you provide effective communication to your families.
S'MORE
FREE Account
5 fliers
Can edit them as many times as wanted
2 extras if you get people to sign up
PAID Account
$59 a year for educators vs $230
Unlimited fliers
Reports
Custom backgrounds
Make private
(I believe they offer a back to school special for $39)
You can add text, pictures, calendar events, audio files, links, form (not as easy as Drive), pictures, and videos.
KEEP IT SIMPLE! bullet points, not paragraphs!
- Have kids write the articles or make videos to post.
- Record yourself going over all the Tuesday folder fliers explaining each one.
- Videos of presentations
- Pics from field trips
FUN TIP: if you want fancy fonts or more features simply type it first in a Doc then copy and paste. Font formatting will transfer over.
Signing up for SMORE ! Sign up and play around.
Class Messenger
- Similar to Remind or Portfoliyo
- Text Message system
- 2 way communication
- Group messages
- Attaching docs, pics, and links
- Scheduling messages for later
- Schedule recurring messages
- Messages regarding behavior, forms, etc
- Reminders
- Attach homework
- Poll parents or students
- Request donations/volunteers
- Set up conferences
Android and Apple app and computer friendly. Web based
Easy to use!
Visit CLASS MESSENGER to sign up for your free account.
Screencast-O-Matic
- 15 min of record time
- record screen and webcam video
- publish to desktop or youtube
- save as MP4, AVI, FLV movie
PAID Version: ($15 per year)
all of the above plus:
- unlimited record time
- publish to Drive
- screenshots
- no watermark
- password protect
- editing and scripting tools
- record system audio
- screen and/or webcam recording
- draw and zoom while recording
IDEAS:
- create how to videos for parents
- record newsletter
- Tuesday folder flier explanation
- video lessons
- homework lessons or explain homework
- present a Google Slides Presentation and record audio
Visit Screencast-O-Matic now. Create a shortcut on your tool bar.
Edmodo
Edmodo Parent Code Video LINK
Focus
Parents can opt to include an email when they register their child for school. If they did, then that email is attached to the child's Focus account.
Check out this video to learn how to make this happen!
Google Drive
post pics
behavior logs
links to forms, permission slips, etc
sign up for conferences, classes, volunteers
back to school night forms template form
Here is a LINK to a great blog post about using drive for parent communication.
Copy Machine
Class Messanger Text System
This is a great tool for us to keep in touch. Please feel free to use it to communicate with me.
Follow our Class on Twitter
Please follow us @PruittClass
While you may leave me a message on my classroom phone this is not the most efficient way to get a hold of me. Email or ClassMessenger are much better!
Mrs. Audrey Pruitt
Email: apruitt@littleelmisd.net
Website: https://www.edmodo.com/home#/profile/14409567
Location: 2600 Hart Rd, Little Elm, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 294-1670
Twitter: @PruittClass