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Involve parents in daily activities. Use voice mail communication. Develop and utilize parent workshops. Focus on positive student behaviors and achievements. Keep parents informed of these. Beg, plead, borrow...whatever it takes to get them in the building. Send notes and phone calls from the heart - praise notes. Hold parents accountable for their child’s education. Give parents your home phone number with limits. Pick your moments to call carefully. If you have only a few students, maintain some sort of daily communication. Put yourself online. Make your classroom open to parents at all times to observe, not just to conference. Be appreciative for any and all support they give. Utilize parents’ knowledge when studying specific areas. Organize family volunteer program(s). Ask parents, grandparents and other family members to help copy, work fundraisers, volunteer for field trips, etc. Interview family members. Bring the responses back, and invite the family members to visit your classroom. Develop a “Monday Folder” of notes and information for parents, deficiency reports, school rules, etc. Parents should sign a daily planner with all class assignments listed on it. Invite parents to share their special talents or to participate in a job fair. Ask parents to be in charge of classroom parties, etc. Develop and utilize committees. Hold open houses, parent fairs and parent days. Develop a help box of learning activities for parents to keep at home. Encourage parents to become active in the PTA/ PTO.
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