WORKING WITH PARENTS

Parent Orientation Requirements
The First Meeting with Parents
Home Language Survey
Welcome letter in English* and Spanish*
Request for Interpreters Letter*

*requires Acrobat Reader

For parents of non-English speaking children the first contact with school officials is a time of high anxiety. They are about to place their children in the hands of other adults not from their culture and who probably do not speak the child's language.

If the parents are also non-English speaking and/or the parents are from a country where it is common for school officials to be representatives of the government, the anxiety level may be even higher. Any negative remarks, gestures or facial expressions on the part of school personnel can do permanent damage to the school/parent relationship.

The best atmosphere is a positive and welcoming one. Much can be communicated with a smile, a handshake, and gestures that tell parents that you are trying to communicate and that they are welcome in your school.