Parent Contact Form & Weekly Newsletters

We have had a great start to a new school year!! I'm excited to share the new things we do in class this year. Students get Chromebooks next week, so that's when the good "techy" stuff will start coming around.

Meet the Teacher - Google Form for Parent Contact

I have been using a Google Form to get Parent information for 3 years now. I like the format of this one because I like to include the parent's names on my contact list. I also like to know if I'm emailing mom or dad (sometimes you can't tell from email addresses). I feel like it helps us to effectively communicate with parents.

Here's what the Google Form I created and use looks like:

 At Meet the Teacher, parents completed this form in each of their child's Homeroom classes. Afterwards, I import all the email addresses into Google Contacts and update the entries as needed. I love how easy this is to do and that I have so many email addresses to start the year with.

Weekly Newsletter with Smore

I sent our first Weekly Newsletter today and have started using Smore (www.smore.com). If you haven't heard of this, it's AMAZING!! They're online "flyers" that can be used for so many different things. I love that we can use the same format all year and update it regularly, republishing it as needed. You can also add pictures. It's AWESOME!!

We have a spot for each core subject to type in a snapshot of their week and potential homework, as well as reminders that we have for the class. I love that it's all in one place and the formatting is perfect. I can't believe I didn't transition over to this sooner after hearing about it from other teachers on our campus!

I'm excited to see what this year holds for me. Last year, I started this blog after our Digital Learning Coach recommended it. We have a new Digital Learning Coach this year, and I can't wait to see how she helps me grow as a "techy teacher"!