WEBVTT

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Over two billion emails
sent every day.

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Ugh, I believe it.

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In fact, I bet a billion of them
are in my inbox

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right now from parents.

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Well, I know how you feel,
but it's great to have parents

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who are engaged.

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True, but I just wish I had more
time for each of them.

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Most of the time, we're with
students, you know,

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teaching and not online.

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What if I said there was
a way to encourage even more

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parent involvement
and avoid email overload?

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Do you mean just unplug
completely?

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Actually, I'm talking about
the opposite.

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When it comes to effective
parent communication,

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it's all about answering
parents' questions

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before they ask,

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plus, keeping students
in the loop.

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That sounds amazing,
but how would you do that?

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Well, first, send out
updates to everyone

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on a consistent,
predictable basis.

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But don't you think you'd get
even more email replies,

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voicemails, or even drop-ins?

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Actually, the more information
you give parents,

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the less they have to wonder
about, and getting students

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in the loop keeps them
accountable.

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Yeah, I bet any follow-ups
you would get are

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bound to be more informed.

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And more productive.

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Sometimes,
an ounce of prevention is

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worth a pound of cure,
right?

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Makes sense, but if you want
students in the loop,

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is email really the best way?

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That's why you've got to find
a platform that meets both

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parents and students
where they already are.

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You know, some schools use
an online platform

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with built-in messaging.

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But don't be afraid
to find a different,

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even more accessible option.

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Well, what about using
a class Facebook page,

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or a Twitter feed?

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Social media could work
for some, but also,

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think about reaching parents
on mobile,

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like a school messaging app that
sends out text reminders.

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True, you've got to know your
audience and think about equity

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if you're going to get the
message out to everyone.

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Some tools even have
translation built in.

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Whatever you decide,
figure out ways to keep students

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in the loop, even younger ones
who aren't online as much.

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Hey, speaking of,
don't just include students,

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empower them to lead
at least some of your

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parent-teacher communication.

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And there are some great digital
tools that help move the process

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out of kids' backpacks
and into an online space.

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It's a great way to shift some
responsibility to students,

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and it gives them scaffolding
they need to be successful.

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There you go.

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Three tips to power up
your parent communication.

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Send out consistent, predictable
updates to parents and students,

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find a platform that meets
everyone where they already are,

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and empower students
to lead the process.

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Those are actually
really useful tips.

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Want me to email them to you?

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Sure, make that
one billion and one.

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