- New to the school or to the role:
- Develop and implement an entry process after consultation with your
predecessor, the supervisory officer and key stakeholders.
- Be pro-active. Scan your environment thoroughly in order to manage the
change process with sensitivity.
- Create a positive environment:
- Encourage healthy dissent and constructive criticism.
- Recognize warning signs of potential problems.
- Highlight expectations for parent conduct with particular reference to the
purposes of the provincial Code of Conduct.
- Be accessible. Principal, teaching and support staff should be accessible to the parents and community.
- Value parents as important partners in their child’s education
- Community outreach to agencies, organizations, local community resource
persons and professionals will provide an opportunity to build support for the
students and the school.
- Work collaboratively with the school council in a mutually supportive
environment.
Tips for a Better Parent/School Relationship
- Stop using jargon
- Visit parents on their turf
- Ask parents to teach what they know
- Welcome complainers
- Hire parent-friendly principals
- Seek parent volunteers
- Offer educational activities for parents and kids
- Get parents to observe classes
- Provide courses for parents
- Create a great school and parents will support you
Jay Mathews, Washington Post (October, 17, 2006)