EDUC 461: TWS #10

Communication and Collaboration Plan

Jankouskas

Family Communication Plan

Before the first day of school, preferably with the student placement papers, I will have my
introduction letter sent to the parents and guardians of each student that will be in my class (Example 1).
In this letter I will introduce myself to the parents/guardians telling them about my background and
educational philosophy. In the introduction I will also explain certain expectations for myself and the
students in my class. I will give notice to the fact that each month there will be a newsletter sent home
explaining what is up and coming for our next month (Example 2). This will contain field trip
information, academic progress, etc. Another item of importance that will be present on the introduction
letter is my contact information. I will have my phone number, email, and school phone number so that
the parents can contact me about any issue or concern dealing with their childs academics. I will
encourage parents to text or call my cell phone. I think that a communicative relationship between the
parents/guardians and the teacher is instrumental in the students success. I will be strongly encouraging
parents to sign up for my Remind 101 account in order to receive last minute information or reminders of
assessments or papers due. This will also include study tips or any information necessary and appropriate
for student success.
A list of classroom rules will be sent home and signed by the students, parents/guardians, and
myself once they are created on the first day of class (Example 3). Based on Lakeviews policy on
parental knowledge of misbehavior; write-ups will be sent home and signed by the parent/guardian.
Write-up offenses include fighting, foul language, vandalism, etc. In addition to write-ups going home
for signature, if I think that a situation does not require principal involvement, or does not merit a writeups severity I will either call the parent/guardian myself or send a personalized note home for signature
notifying the parent/guardian of the malfeasance (Example 4). I will also do this for students who have
accomplished something very positive or when a student was a particular delight that day. I do not want
to only highlight the negative.
There are parent-teacher conferences two times every year; once per semester. On the first
conference parents must attend in order to receive a hand delivered report card. This conference will
include a discussion of study strategies, online activities, etc. in order for the student to study more
efficiently. More severe steps may be suggested during this conference if intervention is needed. This
conference will include any positive characteristics I have noticed with each student and overall be as
positive a parent-teacher conference as possible.
Communication with Colleagues
In my introduction letter sent to parents and guardians I will ask if any are willing to come into
the school and teach the class about their profession. I would like the students to see a variety of
community members speak about their jobs. I will also collaborate with any community members I know
or are willing to take time to teach our class about their profession. I will communicate with my fellow
grade level teachers in order to provide my class with the most diverse and effective lessons (Example 5).
I will email the principal and ask if there are any issues or topics I can have the students write to her about
for persuasive writing strategies (Example 6). For this the students will write the principal a letter in
attempt to persuade them. The principal will then write the class back with the decision. I will
communicate with the guidance counselor, special education teacher, or social workers as needed based
on my students. Finally I wrote to my old college professor for read-aloud ideas. This type of email
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EDUC 461: TWS #10

Communication and Collaboration Plan

Jankouskas

could be sent at any point in a semester just to ask for ideas. My example was to ask for a list of
childrens picture books that would assist me in my English/Language Arts unit on point of view
(Example 7).

Example 1

August 12th, 2015

Dear Families,

I hope your summer went well and your children are excited to be back in
the classroom. My name is Brett Jankouskas and I am a Pennsylvania native. I
realize my last name is a mouthful so do not worry Mr. J will suffice. I am here to
teach your children to the best of my abilities which contain a variety of methods.
I am a large advocate for hands-on learning. For math and science especially,
there will be a lot of manipulates in my classroom. I conduct my lessons in a
collaborative way that consists of whole group learning as well as independent and
group work. At the beginning of the year I will be testing your children to better
understand their learning modalities which will ultimately provide me with the
information needed to customize lessons in order to be the most efficient with your
childrens time. As a class we will be creating our classroom rules during the first
week of class, and will be sending home for parent/guardian signature as well as
your childs and my own. Finally if there are any parents/guardians or other
community members that you know of that are willing to take the time out of their
days to come teach our class about their profession I would be grateful. Learning
about possible professions at a young age can jumpstart your children on
successful academic paths which is very beneficial.
With all that said; I am very excited to be working with your children this
upcoming school year. We will learn a lot and have fun doing so. Feel free to
contact me at any time regarding your child or any concerns. Monthly there will
be a newsletter sent home with your child that will update you on academic
progress as well as any information such as field trips, banquets, etc. Also I will
ask if each parent would sign up for Remind 101 so that I can send important
information and reminders when needed.
Thank you and have a great ending to your summer,
Sincerely,

Contact Information:

Phone: (717)679-3674
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EDUC 461: TWS #10

Communication and Collaboration Plan

Brett Jankouskas

Jankouskas

Email:jankouskasb@gmail.com
School Phone: (555)555-5555

Example 2

Dear Families,

February to March, 2015

Over the past month we have created information books on our solar system,
a readers theatre script depicting the United States three branch government, and
have even gained two more turtles for our terrarium. One of our students Jane Doe
has been recognized as this months Lakeview fantastic student. We are holding a
PTO information booth and dinner in two weeks on the 14th. There will be booths
informing you about safety, summer camps and sign-ups, as well as a Chick-Fil-a
dinner for a reduced price. Exactly one week later on the 21st our class will be
performing our readers theatre skit during Parents Night. I encourage all flash
photography and taping.
Next on our agenda will be mixed numbers, the Moons cycle, expository
writing, and key inventors prior to 1865.
I hope all is well and I see if able on the 14th and 21st. Thank you,
Sincerely,
Brett Jankouskas
picture of
getting big
friends. I
new tank

Here is a new
Shelly. She is
and so are her new
might spring for a
this month.

EDUC 461: TWS #10

Communication and Collaboration Plan

Jankouskas

Example 3
Classroom Rules:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

We will be respectful at all times.

We will be responsible for our focus and our actions.
We raise hands at appropriate times.
We encourage each other.
Our classroom is clean at all times.
When in doubt, choose the safe route.
We are a team. We are a community. We are a family.

Example 4
Dear Parent/Guardian,
John was caught holding Janes amethyst crystal that she brought in today to share with the class
without Janes permission. I do not want to jump to conclusions, and John denied accusations of malice.
The reason that I felt you needed to know was because Johns reasoning for having the crystal was that he
found it on the playground. I know that Jane did not take the crystal to the playground because it was on
my desk due to distractions. I am not writing John up for this, I just want the issue to be known by all
parties. Therefore a similar note was sent to Janes parents. I hope you have a nice evening, and thank
you.
Sincerely,

Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________

Mr. Jankouskas

Comments: ____________________________________

Example 5
Hello Ms. Everdeen,
I was looking over the next science lesson on standard 4-2.5 regarding organisms changing for
their environments. I was wondering if I could borrow your chameleon to show the students while I
taught the lesson. I would have different printed out scenarios that will cause the chameleon to changes
colors. I am more than willing to change my science lesson time to fit your schedule. Just let me know
and thank you.
Brett Jankouskas

EDUC 461: TWS #10

Communication and Collaboration Plan

Jankouskas

Example 6
Hello Dr. Peeta,
I was wondering if it would be possible to have my students write letters to you in an attempt to
persuade you towards their opinion. This would be a great opportunity for student engagement while
developing their persuasive writing process. If that is fine with you; can you give me any issue or
concern that is a realistic or even actually occurring problem you are dealing with that will be applicable
to the students? If not that is more than fine. I will then have them write about school uniforms and why
or why not we should have them. If this assignment is okay with you it would be great from a student
perspective if you responded to the class as a whole. This way the students will be able to see that their
letters meant something. Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
Brett Jankouskas

Example 7
Hello Dr. Gilbert,
I am about to teach a unit on point of view to my students and I was looking for a few childrens
picture books I could use. I have a fourth grade class, but reading level does not matter too much since I
will be the reader. I was wondering if you had any books off the top of your head that you could refer me
to. Hope all is well and thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Brett Jankouskas