Tips for Calling Parent(s) or Guardian(s)
Tip #1: Take the time to contact every child’s parent or guardian within the first two – three weeks of school.
Sample Script:
To the Person Answering the Phone: May I please speak with Mr. or Ms. ______, (*Always use courtesy titles, unless the parent has said otherwise. If someone other than the parent answers the phone, don’t identify yourself as a teacher calling from the school. That’s the parent’s business, not anyone else’s.)
To the Parent/Guardian: Hello, Mrs. Jones, this is Diane Trim. I’m ______English teacher. Is this a good time? (*Always introduce yourself and make sure that the parent has time to talk.)
To the Parent/Guardian: I wanted to let you know how pleased I am to have ______in my class this year. We’ll be learning about ______(*briefly mention one or two areas you want to highlight with the parent.) My goal is to make sure every student is successful and want to encourage you to contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns about something that is happening in my class or here at school.
To the Parent/Guardian: I also want to invite you to come to back-to-school night on ______. I’d very much enjoy meeting you in person.
To the Parent/Guardian: Do you have any questions of me? (*Listen to the parent.)
To the Parent/Guardian: Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, Mr. or Ms. ______. Is this the best way to contact you or is there another way you prefer for me to get in touch with you?
To the Parent/Guardian: I look forward to a great year with ______.
Tip #2: When calling a parent or guardian about negative behavior, contact the parent in a timely manner and make sure the student knows you are calling the parent or guardian. Let the student know that you will be looking for something good to say about him or her, too. If at all possible, make calls right after the class bell with the student at your side. Having the student there so he or she knows exactly what you’re saying reinforces the idea that he or she can trust you to tell his or her parents/guardians the truth.
Sample Script:
To the Student: What’s the best number to reach your parents? What’s your mom/dad’s name?
To the Person Answering the Phone: May I speak with Mr. Gonzales? (*Again, always use courtesy titles, unless the parent has said otherwise. If someone other than the parent answers the phone, don’t identify yourself as a teacher calling from the school. That’s the parent’s business, not anyone else’s.)
To the Parent/Guardian: Hello, Mr. Gonzales, this is Michael Moore. I’m ______’s English teacher. Is this a good time? *Always introduce yourself and make sure that the parent has time to talk.
To the Parent/Guardian: I have ______here with me, Mr. Gonzales. We need to talk to you about ______’s behavior in class today. (*Make sure you don’t show any anger or frustration.)
To the Parent/Guardian: ______chose to curse repeatedly in class today. Swearing is not allowed in school and it disrupts class. I am doing ______about the situation? (*While you and the parent are partners in helping the student succeed, you should not expect the parent/guardian to have a solution for the problem. You should always inform the parent/guardian what is happening on your end to address the behavior.)
Listen to parent.
To the Parent/Guardian: Thank you for your help. I will tell you that ______worked hard on her assignment in class today and apologized to me for disrupting class. (*This is where you work in the positive behavior that the student showed you.)
To the Parent/Guardian: I’m going to pass the phone to ______. I think she’d like to talk to you, but she has to go to class soon.
Pass the phone to the student.
To the Parent/Guardian: Thank you for your time today. ______and I will call you at the end of the week to discuss her improvement. (*Remember to make the follow-up positive phone call on Friday. Have the student next to you so he or she knows you’ve kept your word and so the parent/guardian can talk with him or her if desired.)
Tip #3: Take the time to contact parents/guardians when you become concerned about the attendance of one of your students.
Sample Script:
To the Person Answering the Phone: May I speak with Ms. White? (*Again, always use courtesy titles, unless the parent has said otherwise. If someone other than the parent answers the phone, don’t identify yourself as a teacher calling from the school. That’s the parent’s business, not anyone else’s.)
To the Parent/Guardian: Hello, Ms. White, this is Joe Patterson. I’m ______’s English teacher. Is this a good time? *Always introduce yourself and make sure that the parent has time to talk.
To the Parent/Guardian: I am calling because I’ve missed seeing ______in class. He/She has not been here for the last ____ days and I’m concerned. Is there anything I need to be aware of?
Listen to parent or guardian.
To the Parent/Guardian: Please let ______know that I am looking forward to him/her coming back to school soon. I will work with ______to get caught up on the work he/she has missed. If something else comes up, please let me know.
To the Parent/Guardian: Do you have any questions for me? Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today.