Thank you! Those are all very helpful.

Here's the one my grade level uses. It's in both English and Spanish.

I have two forms I give to parents. One is a basic contact information page and the other is called "In a Million Words or Less" where they tell me what they want about their child. I always get a lot of great information on that form that typically I wouldn't with a basic Q&A form. You can download them off my site at http://www.msjensenclass.com/Teacher...ated_forms.htm

This is the one I send. My parents always fill it out and return it. It is very helpful to have all this information on hand. Feel free to change it to suit your own needs.

Thank you for your helpful responses! I appreciate it. If anyone has additional ideas I'd love to have them too.

Two years ago I stopped sending a form. I asked the families to just write me a letter telling me about their family and child. It has been wonderful! I love reading allof the letters. I send a letter home the third week of August. (we begin the day after Labor Day) I ask if they could send me the letters before school starts. I ask that they tell me anything they think will help me teach their child. I also encourage them to brag about their child's strengths and tell me any fears/weaknesses/areas of concern.

and here's the one I made to suit my needs. Our school makes carbon copy sheet so the office gets the top and we get the bottom. That has contact numbers on it.

here's one I got off of here or atozteahcer forum

What kinds of questions do you ask or information do you request from parents at the beginning of the year about their child? I don't want to overwhelm parents with a long form, but I'd like some information, such contact number(s).