Effective School Communication: A Parent’s Guide

Navigating school relationships as a parent or caregiver can feel overwhelming, but fostering strong communication is key to helping children feel safe and supported. School interaction and communication will look different for each family, but a collaborative partnership between home and school is essential for a child’s success and well-being.

Be Proactive and Prepared

Reaching out early to your child’s school and teachers sets the tone for a positive partnership. Initiating the first contact shows that you are an active participant in your child’s education. When reaching out, consider requesting an in-person or virtual meeting to share relevant information about your child’s background, needs, and how trauma may affect their learning or classroom interactions. You don’t need to overshare, but providing helpful insights can assist educators in better supporting your child.

Additionally, researching the trauma-informed practices the school utilizes may be helpful. If you have valuable resources, such as tips, strategies, or articles, feel free to pass those along to the teacher and school staff who regularly interact with your child. Trauma-informed practices are good for all students, not just students who have experienced trauma.

Open and Ongoing Communication

Some parents find establishing a structured communication plan with the teacher is helpful. This can look like a weekly email, a daily checklist, or a notebook passed between home and school. Choose a format that works for you and the teacher to ensure consistent and meaningful updates. Open communication shouldn’t focus exclusively on challenges. Sharing successes, changes in routines, or upcoming events creates a well-balanced dialogue and strengthens the home-school connection.

Being proactive, prepared, and maintaining strong communication with your child’s school helps create an environment where they feel safe, understood, and empowered.

You may choose to either ignore or educate in these situations, generally based on intent. Ultimately, there is no one way to approach, as long as you prioritize protecting your child.

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