Parent Handbooks

 

Many parents want information about school programs, facilities, policies and procedures. Handbooks are one of the most efficient ways for schools to communicate information to parents. A handbook made expressly for parents makes them feel they're an important part of their child's school. One might consider including the following information in a school handbook:

  • A welcome letter defining parent roles and responsibilities
  • The school's educational philosophy or objectives
  • A welcome letter from the faculty inviting parent dialogue
  • Suggestions for ways parents can take an active role in their children's education and school activities
  • A description of the PARENT center and the services it provides
  • An invitation to visit the PARENT center
  • Prominently displayed school administration contact numbers and office hours
  • Prominently displayed staff member and guidance counselor contact numbers
  • School policies
  • A summary of policy-related information
  • Faculty credentials
  • Testing and evaluation programs and dates
  • Parent/teacher conference dates and a summary of their importance
  • Important definitions
  • Dates of progress reports and report cards
  • A schedule of special events
  • A school calendar
  • Volunteer opportunity information
  • PTA/PTO information
  • School-building maps
  • List of school facilities
  • Famous education quotes
  • Student photographs
  • Test score and attendance improvements, etc.
  • School history
  • Pages about education and family-related topics, such as:
    • How children can succeed in school
    • Adjustment to a parent's remarriage
    • Coping with divorce
    • Talking with children
    • Guidelines for rule-setting
    • Report cards
    • Curriculum
    • Standardized tests
    • Clubs
    • Severe weather rules

It may be of help to offer some handbooks in languages other than English. This way, bilingual families can help with the education of their children in the same way an English-speaking family does.

Sources 1. Dietz, Michael J. "Supplying Information Through Effective Handbooks;" School Family, and Community Techniques and Models for Successful Collaboration. Ó1997, Aspen Publications, pp. 43-45. 2. "19 Ideas for a Parent-Friendly Handbook;" Involving Parents in Education: A Handbook for Elementary Schools. Ó1995, Aspen Publications, pp. 2:4-2:7.