On Demand Information for New Teachers
Parents, Families & School Community
For Parents/Families
STAR | Online Discussion, Jan 2007 -- The summary of the online discussion with STAR Associates, "Proactive and Productive Communication with Parents and Families". Resources and links are provided.
SPS | How to Involve Families -- Suggestions for helping families to make learning a priority.
SPS | Resources for Family Involvement -- Pamphlets and links for teachers.
SPS | Reading - Writing Tips -- Suggestions for supporting reading and writing at home.
SPS | Translations -- Recommendations for translating materials, available documents, and access to translated documents.
Parent Conferences
UW | Communicating with Parents -- Excellent strategies for speaking to parents over the phone and in-person. The strategies include, among others, suggestions for creating an conducive atmosphere in which to discuss student work.
SPS | Tips for Parents -- Family Partnerships Project provides parent conference information for parents to discuss with with teachers.
NEA | How to Make Parent Conferences Work for the Child -- Another primer for parents before their teacher conference.
Scholastic | Communication with Parents -- Resources include articles, templates for planning conferences, and even a 7-min. RealAudio file of teachers discussing what they do during conferences.
Parent Teacher Conferences -- One teacher's suggestions for conducting meaningful discussions.
Parent Volunteers
SPS | Information and Resources for Volunteers -- Volunteer Handbook, Tutoring, Literacy Packet and Tips can all be downloaded from this site.
NCREL | Increasing Parent Involvement -- These two NCREL Web sites are dated, but contain relevant suggestions for today. Concrete strategies for involving parents in the school and classroom.
NCREL | Creating the School Climate and Structures to Support Parent and Family Involvement -- Check out "Action options" for concrete steps that encourage parent and family involvement.
Health Resources
SPS | Resource Links -- A vast list of links related to personal and public health. Look here before Goggle-ing.
Working with New Colleagues
Coping with Difficult Situations -- What to do when you don't see eye-to-eye with some of your colleagues.
Learning School Routines & Procedures
Recommendations are on their way . . .

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