Fall, 1999 No. 7  National Network of Partnership Schools

School Report

Minnesota High School Develops Two-Way Communications Program

South St. Paul High School in Minnesota has been a member of the National Network for over three years, led by Key Contact, Jill Bjorklund, with the support of Principal, Paul Durand.

The school’s Communication Connections program includes postcards that encourage two-way communications between school and home, and a monthly Parent Involvement page in the principal’s newsletter to parents. The activities support school improvement goals to increase family involvement and improve student attendance by making it easier for teachers and families to communicate.

The Postcards

• Good News Notes are designed for parents and students to receive positive communications from the school.
• Something Special at South St. Paul High School postcards are designed for teachers and staff to receive positive communications from parents and students.
• Student Performance Notes are designed for parents to receive timely information regarding poor/failing student performance while there is still time for students to improve their work and grades.

The Process

Teachers write their comments on the postcards, and other school staff address, stamp, and mail them. The biggest challenge is getting teachers and families to use the postcards. The school has weekly drawings for teachers who send Good News Notes. E-mail reminders are sent to teachers at weeks 2 and 6 of the term, asking them to send a Student Performance Note to parents of students who are falling behind. The Parent Advocate includes the Something Special postcards each quarter in the principal’s newsletter, and has the postcards available at conferences so that parents and students can send positive comments and suggestions to the teachers.

The school’s communications program has been very well received. Families like the Good News Notes, and parents also appreciate the Student Performance Notes. Teachers and staff appreciate positive feedback from families. Parents say that the Parent Involvement page of the principal’s newsletter is the first page they read to see what is planned for parents or for a tip on how they can help their teens.

It is easy to implement this program if there is support for copying, printing, and mailing materials. The three note cards were
designed by the district graphics department and printed by the district duplicating department. Postage is paid by the school’s budget for partnerships.

From: Promising Partnership Practices—1999, National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins University.

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