5 Connecting with Families

On elearning days, the workload of supporting a student with developmental disabilities is often on the shoulders of a family member. That is why it is highly important to communicate frequently with families to inform about the needs, supports, and changes, as well as to provide training support and scaffolding to ensure student’s success.

You can maintain communication using any combination of tools below or your preferred ones:

• Remind app- allows you to text and send announcements and files to students and parents directly.
• Google forms- Can create a check in with students that is on your learning platform of choice with the options to be able to connect if wanted or needed.
• Google Voice – Allows you to call and text without providing your personal number.  Also allows for messaging.
• Google Classroom – Set up your classroom to share materials and announcements as well as house any links or other materials students may need.
• Class Dojo– Classroom management tool that also allows you to message parents through the platform/app.
• ParentSquare – Send everything—mass notifications, classroom posts, one-to-one messages, forms, sign-ups—using tools built to work together, not pieced together.
• Preferred social media and communication tools, like Slack, Teams, Facebook, etc.