"Tuesday Tribunes"
Communication and routine are important in school. It's helpful to communicate weekly with parents. Routines are helpful for students who often lose things or can't remember to take home their spelling words on Monday. Here are a few suggestions.
Each student has a two-pocket folder with his or her name on the outside. On Tuesday, the office puts a weekly newsletter and any other announcement materials in the folder. During the last few minutes of the day, each homeroom teacher adds notes, grades, or homework papers and passes the folders out to students. The folders are returned by Friday so the process can begin again the following week. These folders could be called "Monday Messengers," "Wednesday Greetings," "Thursday Tidings," .... etc. --Be Creative!
Weekly Folder Things to Consider
· Returned weekly folders can be used for parents' notes to office, returning permission slips, school picture orders, etc.
· Folders can carry home weekly student work for parents to view or sign, grades for students who are struggling, or words of praise for those doing well.
· A routine for collecting and distributing that not only saves time, but should also give students folders as they are preparing to go home so that folders are not left in lockers or desks for a few days.
· This is a great opportunity for students to learn to organize or is a good reminder to students to plan their own schedules each week.
Friday News Brief A weekly newsletter that parents expect on each school day Friday could include things such as reminders of upcoming events, current needs of the school, exciting student events in the community or accomplishments of interest, notes of thanks to groups of people or hard working volunteers, or prayer requests.
Newsletter Things to Consider
· Typing a newsletter takes time. Use a form and perhaps ask a parent or student volunteer to do the actual typing. Perhaps you might ask a different class to be in charge of the newsletter each week.· Save paper and printing costs by printing on half sheets, both sides, or by sending one newsletter home per family.
· This is a great paper for teachers to attach important notes about grades, field trips, or classroom events.