Communicating with Your Child’s School
Communication with families is one of the ways New Hampshire schools build strong school-family partnerships. The information below describes how and why communicating with your child’s school is important.
NH schools want to build strong partnerships with all families and are required to give you important written information in your home language. Each school district may do this in a different way, so it’s helpful to ask questions when your child starts school or whenever you’re unsure.
Ask Your School These Questions:
- How will my child’s teacher keep me updated about their learning and schoolwork?
- How does the school send general information to families of English Learners?
- Who can I contact if I have a question or want to talk about my child?
- How will I get information shared at school events, meetings, or presentations?
- How can I be involved in the school community?
Common Tools Schools Use to Communicate with Families
- Cellular Phone Apps: Some teachers or schools use apps to send messages or updates. Ask if the app can translate messages into your language—and if you can reply in your language too. Teachers will use these apps to message the class about a variety of things. The teacher will message you about important forms sent home that require a signature, such as field trips. The teacher may message about specific dates that children can dress up for school, such as pajama day or wear a hat to school day. Teachers will also share pictures of the students at school during their daily routine or during assemblies. These apps are a great way to stay connected to your child’s day at school.
- School Newsletters or Emails: Your school may send regular updates by email or through a newsletter. You can ask for this in your home language or request a version that’s easier to translate.
- School Website: Many school websites have a “Translate” button that lets you view the page in your language. Look for it at the top of the screen or in the menu.
- Live Phone-based Interpreting Services: Some schools use a service where they call an interpreter who provides live translation while you are on a phone call or in-person at a meeting.
- Translation Devices at School: Some schools have electronic tools that help translate spoken conversations during meetings or events.
- Learning Management System: Private websites that schools use to share updates, assignments, grades, and messages with parents, helping them stay informed about their child’s progress and classroom activities.
- Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) or Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs): These are groups of parents and teachers who work together to support the school. They help plan activities for students and families and share information between the school and home. The PTO is not a government group. It is run by parents and teachers who volunteer their time. You do not need special training to join, and you do not have to speak English perfectly. All families are welcome.
There are many people at your child’s school who help students learn to speak, read, and write in English. Some will need your permission before they can start working with your child. This means you will need to sign a form. Ask your child’s teacher to tell you if a form is coming home so you don’t miss anything.
Here are some of the people who may help your child:
- English Language Learner (ELL) Teachers: These teachers help students learn English so they can understand the lessons in school. You must sign a permission form before your child can work with an ELL teacher.
- Classroom Teachers: These are your child’s main teachers. In elementary school, your child may have one classroom teacher for most subjects. In middle or high school, your child will have different teachers for each subject (math, science, English, etc.).
- Paraprofessionals (also called “paras” or “teacher helpers”): These staff members support students in the classroom. Some work with the whole class. Others help one student or a small group who need extra support.
- Special Education Teachers: These teachers support students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). They provide individual or small group instruction in math, reading, or other services. You will have meetings and will need to sign a permission form before they can help your child.
- Reading/Literacy Specialists: These specialists provide individual or small group instruction for reading. They teach any student whom the school determines needs extra support. You may be asked to sign a permission form before they can help your child.
- Family Liaisons: Some schools that have a lot of English Learner students may have a person who connects English Learner families to their school. These may be called something else, such as Bilingual Family Liaisons or Language Assistance Coordinators. These individuals are a resource for families wishing to communicate in their home language. They may call home to share important messages shared by the school, gather feedback from families, or support the classroom teacher in conferences or meetings. You can ask your child’s teacher if the school has someone who works with families in this way.
If you receive a form or letter you don’t understand, ask the teacher or a language liaison to explain it in your language. You have the right to understand and give informed permission. For more people you might encounter in your district, look at Reading Rockets ‘Who’s ‘Who’s Who at Your Child’s School’
Most schools in New Hampshire have Parent-Teacher Conferences. This is a short meeting (about 15–20 minutes) between you and your child’s teacher. It usually happens once or twice a year.
Before the Parent-Teacher Conference:
- Ask the teacher to confirm what day and time the conference is.
- Ask if your child should attend and if you can bring any siblings if needed.
- Request a translator to attend if you need one.
- Request that the English Language Learner teacher be present.
- Ask your child if there’s anything they would like you to talk to the teacher about or see in their classroom.
- Email your child’s teacher(s) with your questions to ensure they are prepared for the meeting and can provide answers.
At the Conference:
- Be on time or 10 minutes early. Conferences are usually for a set amount of time and run on a set schedule.
- Bring the name of your child’s teacher and the teacher’s room number in case you need help finding the classroom.
- If you requested a translator and they are not present, you can ask to wait for a translator or set up another meeting.
- Ask your most important questions first so you don’t run out of time.
- Ask questions if you do not understand what is being said. American schools use specific words that may not have a direct translation, so make sure you clarify by saying, “What does that mean my child can do?” or “Can you tell me what that looks like at school?”
- Ask what you can do at home to help your child.
- Request that any standardized test scores shared with you be explained in your home language.
- Ask if your child has work hanging on the classroom walls or in the hallway that you should look at while you are at the school.
- Ask the teacher if there are any common practices that families in the school follow at conferences, such as leaving a short note in their child’s desk or locker.
After the Conference:
- Share good things your teacher said about your child.
- Keep talking with the teacher throughout the year.
To learn more about parent-teacher conferences click here.
For a parent teacher conference tip sheet click on the language you prefer:
- What kind of services and programs does the school have to help my child learn English? Do I need to sign a permission form to start this help?
- What will the supports look like?
- What kind of accommodations are available when my child is taking tests?
- How will I learn about my child’s literacy testing results?
- When testing, are diagnostic assessments given in order to distinguish the difference between my child’s ability to speak English versus the skill being tested?
- Are there language tutoring or additional literacy supports available through the district?
- What if my family does not have computer, internet, or printer access at home?
- How can I support my child’s reading and writing development at home?
- How will I be updated on my child’s progress in learning English?
- If I have questions about my child’s progress, whom do I contact? What is the best way to contact them?
Email your child’s teacher(s) with these questions before attending a meeting or starting a conversation with them to ensure they are prepared and can provide the information you need.
- What kind of services and programs does the school have to help my child learn English and all the other subjects he/she is studying?
- How well is my child learning English, and do you have an educational plan for him/her?
- What activities do you do in class to encourage him/her?
- Will my child’s progress reports and other communication items be available in our home language?
- How can I request accommodations, such as extended time during tests, for my child?
- How many exams will my child take this year, and what will they be used for? How do I request copies of my child’s exam results in our home language?
- How can I support my child’s English development at home?
- What flexible opportunities do you have for parents to get involved in this school (e.g., PTO)?
- Will my child be on track to graduate from high school? If not, what else does he/she need to do to graduate?
- How are you helping my child prepare for courses that determine if he/she will earn a high school diploma?
SOURCE: Adapted from https://www.latinoedleaders.org/11-questions-parents-of-mll-students-should-ask
Bridging the Gap in the 603: Pathways to Literacy Proficiency is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant # H323A240003. This website, however, and any documents contained herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Education.