Contacting Parents of Middle School Students

Teacher Tips for Successful Contact and Garnering Support

Oct 24, 2009

Middle school is a difficult time for the parents and the students. When students begin to struggle, the first line of defense is to communicate with parents.

Middle school students are moving from childhood to adulthood, and some do not transition smoothly. When a student's behavior has become unruly or the grades have slipped, a call home can start the ball moving in the right direction.

Phone Call Versus Email Message

Because one cannot ascertain when the parents will read email, it is best to call for the initial contact when discussing poor behavior and grades. After the first phone call is made, email is a quick way to follow up with the parent. However, some parents will tell the teacher that they want an email message as soon the student struggles. If this is pre-arranged, this can work as well. However, if parents do not respond in a timely manner, a phone call will be in order.

For the initial contact to be positive, teachers need to realize that middle school can be confusing for parents and students alike. Parents of students in middle school are now dealing with up to 10 teachers for each child. In elementary school, things were much simpler. Parents could call one or two teachers to solve a problem. In middle school, for every subject there is a new teacher.

Parents are Learning How to Deal With Teens

In addition to the transition to middle school, parents are now dealing with teenagers. These older children want more independence, and some parents are experimenting with how much space they should give their children. A call home will let the parent know what is going on at school because sometimes the teen is not telling the parent anything.

Make a Positive First Impression

When making the first contact with a parent, teachers need to make sure to start positive. Finding something encouraging to say about a student sometimes can be difficult; however, starting off negatively will put the parent on the defensive right away. The goal of the call is to garner support from the parent to help stop the bad behavior or to improve low grades.

Be Prepared With Grades and Notes

After the positive introduction, give the parent specific details about poor grades or behavior. Teachers need to have a copy of the student’s grades handy. Parents may have questions about certain assignments. If the grade book is at the teacher’s fingertips, then the conversation can move smoothly.

If the student has been disruptive, teachers need to make sure to write down dates and specific behavior. Having these notes available during the conversation can allow the parent to have all of the facts when they talk with their child. When the phone call is complete, the teacher needs to set up a time for a follow up phone call or email.

Calling parents is important. Teachers just need to remember to be kind, empathetic and organized. A positive first encounter can help communication and in the end help the struggling student.

The copyright of the article Contacting Parents of Middle School Students in Middle School Life is owned by Kellie Hayden. Permission to republish Contacting Parents of Middle School Students in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.