Have you ever felt like you were saying everything and
getting nowhere? Do you sometimes get overwhelmed with acronyms and school
speech? Or have you ever felt like you were backed into a corner? Communicating effectively with school
professionals is very important. You are
your child’s voice! Your opinions are
important. You do not have to agree with
everything the school suggests with regard to your child. But how do you communicate your wishes in a
way that continues to foster and promote a good working relationship with the
school personnel?
Start
with understanding how the school prefers to communicate with parents. Does the school have a website, newsletter,
online portal, or phone message system?
That is a good indication that the method for distributing information
is the same way the school prefers to receive communication. Having a paper trail is always
important. Document and keep
everything. I would suggest a binder and
electronic folders for emails to stay organized. If you have a spoken conversation, or meeting
simply jot down and date the notes of what was discussed, etc. and keep that
too. Email communication is quick and
easy, but keep in mind that the message may be misinterpreted. It’s always a good measure to follow up with
face to face communication to make sure everyone involved is on the same page. 
Knowing
who to communicate with is also key. Get
to know the job roles of the school staff.
Introduce yourself and find out who to speak to regarding specific
issues. Stay in touch with the staff and
personnel. Although this may seem
obvious, it is important that you have established a home and school open door
of communication. If your child has had
a rough morning, send a quick note to let the teacher know. Sometimes, being prepared for a potential
problem can help extinguish it quickly and give your child the best opportunity
to turn her day around. Always stay constructive. You do not have to agree with the approach
the school takes, but try and work from the assumption that the school is
trying to support your child. Share
information you feel comfortable with sharing.
Give feedback when you think things are going well. Everyone needs a little encouragement from
time to time. Offer ideas of what you do
to help support your child at home that could benefit the school personnel as
well. You know how to extinguish a melt
down quickly, explain what works at home.
Be an active presence at school.
It’s ok if you are a working parent and cannot be at the school all the
time, but try and be present at school events, etc. What do you do when communication goes wrong?
When
emotions run hot, it can be difficult to communicate your child’s needs to the
school staff, but finding ways to have a good working relationship between home
and school is important and one of the best ways to make sure your child gets
the most from school. Start with giving
yourself some time to respond. A cooling
off period may be necessary so you do not speak with emotion but come from a
place of fact and reason. Request a
conference or meeting to speak with the school personnel about the issue. Try to not escalate an issue
prematurely. Always start speaking with
the direct person and see what kind of resolution you and that staff member
come to before taking it up the ranks.
Schools should include parents in the planning and reviewing of their
child’s needs. Fostering a good
relationship between home and school support is necessary. Finally, do not lose focus on what you are
doing. At the end of the day, no matter
what has taken place, you are the voice of your child. You are a parent who loves your child and
wants your child to be given the best opportunity at a fulfilling life. This
road may be filled with bumps and detours but make sure it is filled with love
and smiles along the way too. Breathe,
and remind yourself what you are advocating for—your child!
You are your child’s voice and best teacher!
The Ramage Law Group has
authoritative solutions for special needs children!
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