FIRST MEETING WITH PARENTS

The first contact with the ELL's family is an important opportunity for school district personnel to begin a positive partnership. The following activities and materials are suggested to help prepare the school district for that initial meeting:

Have a plan established for who will communicate with parents of ELLs, and what will be done during the initial meeting.
Welcome the parents and students with a smile and a handshake (see Appendix A for a sample welcome letter).
Indicate that you would like the parents to have a seat while any needed school personnel or interpreters are found. Remember body language is a great communicator.
Ask for immunization records and a local address (verification of residency may be required at a later date).
Beginning in the 2002-2003 school year, new school immunization requirements under 28 PA Code Section 23.83 include: (Note that the new requirements are effective at the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year. Please encourage students and families to get a head start during summer vacation to meet these new requirements.)
- Varicella (chicken pox) immunity, either from vaccination, history of disease, or laboratory testing for new students (kindergarten or first grade) and for students entering seventh grade; and
- Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine for students entering seventh grade.
Have a school representative sit with the parents during the viewing of the tape.
Show the tape and stop it where parents may have questions or concerns
Have the following available:
- A sample immunization form
- Health forms and other school forms that you will ask the parents to complete
- A school calendar
- Information on school transportation
- The names and contact information of school personnel that parents may need
- A school handbook
- Parental contact information forms
- A copy of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards
- Home Language Survey