Updated 02/23/23
Check out these tips for streamlining your back-to-school communications, including our help!
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Did you know the back-to-school season is the most stressful time of year for families? Yes, even more than the holidays, according to the New York Post. This is because there are so many moving parts to keep track of: teacher assignments, extracurricular signups, and of course, back-to-school shopping. What’s more, this information seems to come at them fast, from all directions. It’s difficult for them to sift through everything and find what applies to them. So, it’s important to know what information to get out there, and how. Here are some tips for streamlining your back-to-school communication:
Think back-to-basics. Families want the information that will set their child up for success on that very first day back. Some examples include:
–ground rules, such as dress codes and technology policies
–logistics, such as health forms, any extra fees, school lunch payments, bus schedules, and pickup/drop-off locations
–important dates, such as picture day, activity signup deadlines, parent/teacher conferences, vacations/days off, and curriculum night
Tip: Every school district will differ. To best estimate what families will want to know, think about the phone calls and emails you receive over the summer. What are your families asking for? Prioritize those frequently asked questions when getting your information out to families.
But it’s not just the information that counts. How parents receive it is crucial. Efficiency is key to happy families and minimal stress. Think to yourself, how do you get the must-know points out to your district’s families? One email? Two? Three? Old fashioned mail? It’s time to update that process so parents can easily find exactly what they’re looking for.
We’re happy to assist. TeacherLists provides easy-to-embed links, social media content, and website banners for a seamless back-to-school communications process. Upload your district’s lists to get started or click here to connect with a district specialist