Teams of teachers also keep a telephone directory and log by each team phone. They contain addresses and parents' work and home phone numbers, as well as a record of conversations with parents, so that all team members know the number and nature of the calls. Some teachers also send home a unit guide before each new unit begins so that parents know what's coming and can ask their children appropriate questions. Tell parents about homework problems as soon as they arise. Parents are best able to work out a solution with the child and teacher if they know about the homework problem before report cards are distributed.
Parents are welcome at any time.
The school is 60 miles from the closest grocery store. That way they will return my call when a problem comes up. On the rare occasion when a homework problem becomes pesky, Ms. Bennett signs a contract with the parent and child that spells out how the problem is to be fixed. Notes also go back and forth from school to home so that communication lines are kept open. She also uses a monthly newsletter to parents to address any general problems, such as incomplete homework, that require their support.