Consistency is key here! The subject line of your weekly e-mail should be the same each week.  Let’s face it, we are all creatures of habit.  We want to know what we are getting and how to expect it. Our parents are no different.  My parents knew that each Friday they would get a Fourth Grade Updates e-mail.  Send the e-mail on the same day each week.  We sent our weekly e-mails on Friday before we left for the weekend, that way parents knew what was up and coming for the following week.  Also, we found that if we sent more than one mass e-mail per week, parents were picking and choosing what parts of each e-mail to read.  Save your content and send it out in one finely tuned e-mail per week.

Keep the main point the MAIN POINT!  The main purpose for our mass e-mail communication last year was focused on academics.  We wanted to give parents a “peek at our week.” This is the part of our e-mail that stood out the most. Notice I said PEEK…not everything! Those that want more info could click on our website links at the bottom of the e-mail.  Sure we included other school happenings and dates in our weekly communication, but we wanted parents to know the WHAT that was going on inside the classroom walls! Many other school events and dates are communicated through school folders, school call-outs, etc.  You can still include other information in your weekly email, but keep the focus on whatever content you have deemed most important.

All of the tidbits above help to clarify the point that it’s ALL about the AESTHETICS! If you take the time to plan out your weekly emails instead of throwing your thoughts and information together quickly, it will pay off! Ask yourself, would I want to read my own e-mail? Work towards a clear, concise, and consistent message to parents! 


What have you found that works well in your communication with parents? I’d love to know some of your tips and tricks!!