[reesespieces]

To all of the people who are also parents, I'd like to get your opinion. When I taught 3rd grade, parents were kept aware of what we were doing by the nightly homework and by a monthly full-color newsletter that I'd send home with pictures and articles (made on microsoft publisher and printed at a printing place).

Now I'm moving to 1st and won't be sending homework home.
From a parent's perspective, would it be better if:

-you received a monthly full-color 4 page newsletter or

-you received a weekly 1 page sheet printed on plain paper with a very basic blurb about what we learned that week and a bi-monthly full-color newsletter?

[LakeTeacher]

As a parent, I would prefer the more frequent updates. It wouldn't matter to me if it was in color or not.

[3rdgradequeen]

I think weekly is best, but the bi-weekly "color" one wouldn't be necessary then. If you want to do the bi weekly one, then just do it that way. Yes, you want to keep parents informed, but you don't want to make more work for yourself. I'd suggest doing one format that's easiest for you, but also keeps the parents in the loop as far as upcoming events/themes/dates.

[ajmom]

I vote for once a week, too! I wouldn't really care if it's colorful and cutesy...I'd just want to know what's going on. I don't think you need to send a bi-monthly newsletter if you are sending something home weekly. I found that when I taught 1st grade the kiddos were excited to share with their parents what was going on, so that combined with my weekly newsletter was enough to keep them happy. Now that I'm in 5th, I have the opposite..."they tell me they didn't do anything in school this week"!

[reesespieces]

Thank you for your responses! That sounds good to me-I will do it weekly to keep parents informed!

[reesespieces]

Now I'm going to go to the k-3 board to see if anyone has a template for the weekly one!

[02BNHI]

I would prefer a weekly electronic update on a webpage or email instead of a paper copy. I can read it when I have a chance and not worry about it getting lost in the pile of stuff that is sent home from school.

[reesespieces]

We aren't allowed to have classroom websites in my district (ridiculous, I know), but I definitely do a lot with email. Thank you for mentioning that-I am going to make that an option for parents!

[JulieP]

I send a weekly email on Monday to my parents to let them know what we will be working on that week (instead of Friday telling what we did). I include:
Spelling Words. I also attach the spelling contract as a word file.

Math. I tell the parents what concept we are working on and ideas for practicing at home. I also remind them that we are working on multiplication facts and to study them nightly.

Upcoming dates to remember

Opportunities for volunteering.

Weekly. I sent an email every week and the parents loved it!