1. Colleen McGillicuddy’s
Family Plan
Here is how I plan to…
Connect with families:
 I look forward to meeting parents at the beginning of the year to get to know them
and find out how they can contribute in the classroom. I plan on asking questions
about their profession, where they are from, and also if there are special insights
about their child that I should know as their teacher.
 At the beginning of the year, it is fun and informative to send out a survey
specifically for the parents. With questions regarding their hobbies, professions,
and activities they enjoy doing with their child, I can find out how they can
contribute to with their skills as well as better connect with them as individuals
for a better rapport that can last all year.
Involve families:
 Parents are a wonderful asset in enriching the curriculum. I plan to invite parents
to guest-lecture to the class when their interests or professions correlate with a
unit we are covering.
 I plan to have assignments that involve families. Family history interviews for
language arts, interactive math games, and science experiments to do at home
with a loved one are all great ways to involve the family.
 Involvement in the community is beneficial in teaching children the importance of
service and being a part of a working society. My goal is to include parents in
these events as chaperones to share these days and lessons with their children.
Communicate with families:
 I plan to communicate with families on a daily or weekly basis through take-home
folders, planners that are signed each night with homework written down, or, such
as with the rainbow chart, through a method of classroom management.
 I plan on writing weekly or monthly newsletters with the class to help families
stay informed about what is happening in the classroom. Included will be updates,
class work samples, and articles written by the students.