I bonded with the other first-year teachers. New teachers broke up into support groups at the same grade level. Couldn't have survived without their help. Constantly went to colleagues and drew upon their experience and expertise. I never felt alone or stranded for ideas.
Parents are very involved.
Parents get upset if a teacher doesn't call. It's easier for me to call home because I know I have parent support. In our first-year teacher meetings we did practice telephone calls to parents and prepared for PTA meetings.