wording help, please, with a school to parent letter

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I have created a form for positive notes for teachers to send home to parents . (I could get into why I've created one, but that's a long story.)

I'm struggling with paragraph starter. Here's what I've got so far:

Dear Parent/Guardian:
I want to let you know what a great experience I’m having with your child in my class:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Sincerely,

(Teacher Name)

I want a paragraph starter that is not pretentious, but does force the teacher to convey a positive not about the student.

How else could I phrase this, or does what I have suffice?

TIA

[gs11rmb]

My daughter will start kindergarten next month and I would love to hear positive notes about her behavior, experiences, etc.  However, it does seem like it would be adding just one more piece of paperwork for teachers to deal with; not that it is a bad idea but I can't imagine teachers being too enthused.  Sorry, I know that's not the response you were looking to receive.

[jeffreymo]

My child's school has a preset form with a list of positive items and check boxes on one side and a list of behavior issues/need for improvement and check boxes on the other side.

The bottom is for Teacher's comments.  They're usually given to the parent when the child has a rough day.  Teacher's that fill them out are always encouraged to identify at least one positive behavior that the child exhibited.

ETA:  These could easily be given when the child has a terrific day too, but I wouldn't make it a daily item for each student.  I think your opening sentence is appropriate for a form like this, if that's the idea you have. 

[973beachbum]

My daughter is going to be a senior in HS next year so I totally get why the positive notes are needed!  She had teachers who only communicated with me to complain about something.  At a certain point I would tune them out, like I would my mother when she starts nagging.   Complaints have to be in the form of something that I, as the parent, can fix.   Telling me my kid is immature grade is pretty silly IMO.  Tthe literal defination of a child is an immature human.  When they are mature they're called adults.

The best note I got from a teacher started by saying how much she enjoyed having my son in her classroom.   Then she said something that she wanted me to work on with him at home.  It was one simple thing that we could accomplish like making sure he did his homework.

My sister and I had a thing where we used to read the school/teacher memos that came home from our kids schools.  We substituted the "dear parents or gaurdians" with "Dear stupid parent or gaurdian".  It is sad how often it fit the tone of the letter MUCH better.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

gs11rmb, no worries, I understand your response. 

Jeffreymo, I've also put ~about six items on the side for parents to check off. All are positive.

beachbum, that's my problem. We basically had exactly what jeffreymo is describing, and the teachers ONLY use it for negative comments. That must stop. The only teacher who used it for positive comments did so because she was ordered to by the previous principal. 

Anyway, I'm afraid of making the opening sentence too much about the teacher, but I do think "I" statements are important. Any other ideas about how to phrase it or doesit really sound okay?

[Deleted]

I think I'd come up with a "name" for the program, like a star student, and set this up as a certificate format.  Making it quick and easy for the educator to use & ONLY use for positive events should be emphasized.

I'd like to recognize a "star moment" for student ___________________
And then I'd put check boxes for the positive behaviors you are trying to focus recognition towards:
- Helping Others
- On Task
- Completing Assignments on time
- Tutoring Other Students
- Mastering a difficult subject

I'd take cues on the behavior that is to be recognized from your school handbook of expected behavior.

[Abby Normal]

I think I would do it as a letter to the child, rather than the parents, but have the parents sign off that they've seen it.  With my kid, it was more effective for him to  be given the praise personally, than to be told second hand.  Even though you've likely acknowledged it with the child, seeing it in writing would have way more impact (at least for my kid)

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Just for background, I run a high school that houses grades seven through twelve. While most teaching practices are appropriate regardless of age, some that better for elementary may need tweaking for secondary and vice versa. 

One of the challenges our community has is the focus in manufacturing, logging, And fishing jobs and little value for education. Those types of jobs are offered at about 20% of what they were a generation or two ago. One of my goals is to better connect the school to the community. That's one of the reasons for the notes going to the parents. 

[Abby Normal]

Jul 29, 2013 10:16:06 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Just for background, I run a high school that houses grades seven through twelve. While most teaching practices are appropriate regardless of age, some that better for elementary may need tweaking for secondary and vice versa. 

One of the challenges our community has is the focus in manufacturing, logging, And fishing jobs and little value for education. Those types of jobs are offered at about 20% of what they were a generation or two ago. One of my goals is to better connect the school to the community. That's one of the reasons for the notes going to the parents. 

I was thinking elementary for some reason. 

What about something like:

Dear Parent:

Education is the most valuable asset we can give childern to secure a good future.  I wanted to let you know of something special XXX did today. 

[Deleted]

While I think a note is nice, I was going to tell you about something that a former assistant principal used to  do.  Every week we had to send her the name of a student that we were proud of for something other than academics.  Academic improvement such as "Chloe had her homework every day this week" was allowable or even "Chloe made 100 on her spelling test" . . . but only if that was unusual and showed that little Chloe was putting forth effort.

Then the asst. principal called Chloe to her office.  Chloe was, of course, terrified.  (Lol.  Good kids are always more scared of the principal than bad kids are.)  The asst. principal talked to her for a few minutes, got to know her in a positive sort of way, and then asked her to call her parent.  Kids always know how to reach their parents whereas a teacher can waste her prep period trying.  There, in front of Chloe, the asst. principal called the parent to pass on the teacher's compliment and tell her how proud we all were of how hard she was working or how kind she had been to a fellow classmate or whatever.

There was a lot of benefit to this approach.  The teachers have a lot to do (not that you don't).  This approach acknowledges that.  Chloe gets her recognition, but the asst. principal also got to know a good kid that often gets overlooked.  The recognition comes in front of Chloe, so she knows what her parents know.  The parent gets to talk to an administrator in a positive atmosphere. 

There was a lot of win/win in that approach that went beyond a note that could get lost in a shuffle of paper.

ETA:  I teach in a 9-12 school.  The asst. principal was the ninth grade principal so twelfth graders might be less impressed . . . but I sort of doubt it. 

[swamp]

I like the wording of the letter the way it is.   And I would also like to hear when my kids are doing the right thing.

Right now, I only get notes home when DS tells the principal to go back to her office when she told him to hurry up in the bathroom.  

Edit:  D'oh!!!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Your poor husband, getting chastised like that. 

[swamp]

Jul 29, 2013 11:38:19 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Your poor husband, getting chastised like that. 

Obviously, I won't be getting a note home for a job well done!

[Abby Normal]

Dear Parent:

Your child wasn't a complete screw off today. Celebrate this accomplishment.


In a lot of schools- that is about the best you can say. 

[Tennesseer]

Jul 28, 2013 22:36:24 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

I have created a form for positive notes for teachers to send home to parents . (I could get into why I've created one, but that's a long story.)

I'm struggling with paragraph starter. Here's what I've got so far:

Dear Parent/Guardian:
I want to let you know what a great experience I’m having with your child in my class:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Sincerely,

(Teacher Name)

I want a paragraph starter that is not pretentious, but does force the teacher to convey a positive not about the student.

How else could I phrase this, or does what I have suffice?

TIA

Without you knowing it, the teacher could fill in 'But I've got nothing.'

How about "Today I had the pleasure:  

[aricia]

If this form is intended for the teacher to reference a specific positive action by the student I would phrase it more along the lines of: "I want to let you know about a great experience I had with your child."  This might make it easier for the teacher to cite an example, especially for a child that they've also had negative experiences with.

If it's more for the overall long term experience the teacher is having with the student I would leave it as it is. 

[greeniis10]

Southernsusana's example is fantastic!  It requires an engaged, caring principal and/or vice-principal, however, IME the quality of people in these positions vary greatly from year-to-year and school-to-school.  But, focusing on the positive rather than the negative is always a good thing.

When DS was in high school his band played for most of the school assemblies and pep-rallies.  Prior to each one they had to meet with the principal to make sure their song choices were acceptable and appropriate.  The principal commented to me once how much he enjoyed these meetings because he never got to get to know the "good" kids; all his time was spent with bad ones. 

Good idea, underwater chloe!  It's definitely something that needs to be cultivated in the schools, but with balance.  Not the "give a trophy to everyone" type of thing, either.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Tennesseer and aricia, those are good points about making it specific. That might be what was bugging me about how I had phrased it. I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. 

Last year was my first year in this building. I sent home three positive notes per week. 

I do like susana's example. I do need more positive interactions from my staff to the parents though. I'm not dictating they have tondo it every day, but I might set a weekly expectation. 

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Jul 29, 2013 11:36:54 GMT -5 swamp said:

I like the wording of the letter the way it is.   And I would also like to hear when my kids are doing the right thing.

Right now, I only get notes home when DS tells the principal to go back to her office when she told him to hurry up in the bathroom.  

Edit:  D'oh!!!

I LOVE your son and I don't even know him.

Of course, he's easy to love, *I* don't have to parent him.  

[greeniis10]

Also, I think keeping it optional would be best.  As mentioned earlier, if it is mandatory (a certain amount of notes each week, month, etc.) teachers may view it as another paperwork inconvenience. 

At first, making it optional may be slow-going, but once teachers see the positive response from the students and parents I think it will catch on! 

[Chocolate Lover]

I didn't read all the responses but my children's elementary school has what they call a "positive office referral".  It's only for good behavior, teacher fills out the paper and sends them to the office where they get to pick a prize (can't recall what they've brought home, I know there were small toys and books) and the principal calls the parents to give them good news. That last part was an adjustment for me, with my youngest anyway.  Most calls are they're sick or he's acting a fool. I should say were, he's improved a lot....


ETA: I can't recall if there was any particular phrasing or just places to fill in pertinent information and a space for a description of the good behavior.

[JustLurkin]

Granted, my son is in a special needs school, but it could easily be adapted for your needs.  He gets a flier prob 2-3 times a week, it is horizontal and has 6 squares.

Square 1, Today's schedule, it lists his subject and has a short blurb about what they are doing
Ex. "Morning Group" discussed the weather, "Social Studies" women's history month

Square 2, I did my best in:
There are symbols for each subject, one is circled

Square 3, Positive Behaviors
I kept my hands to myself/I kept a quiet voice/etc

Square 4, Negative or new behaviors
Comment area

Square 5, Teacher comments
Comment area

Square 6, Parent comments
I sign and have room to write