The Importance of Communication Between Home and School
Strong communication between home and school is essential for student success. When parents, guardians, and school staff work together and stay informed, students benefit from a consistent and supportive learning environment. One often overlooked, yet crucial, aspect of this communication is ensuring that contact methods—especially phone calls and voicemails—are reliable and up to date.
Voicemail: A Simple but Vital Tool
Voicemail is one of the primary ways schools reach out to families. Whether it’s a call about a sick child, a behavior concern, a missed assignment, or an emergency, being able to leave a message can make all the difference.
However, voicemail only works when:
It’s set up properly: If the voicemail box is not set up, the school has no way to leave a message.
It’s not full: A full voicemail box prevents important messages from getting through, potentially causing delays in action or response.
It’s checked regularly: Even if the voicemail is set up and has space, it won’t help if messages are left unchecked.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to check their voicemail boxes frequently and clear old messages to ensure new ones can be received. If you're unsure whether your voicemail is working properly, now is a good time to test it.
Keeping Contact Information Up to Date
Another key component of home-school communication is having accurate and current contact information on file with the school office. This includes:
Primary and secondary phone numbers
Email addresses
Emergency contacts
Authorized pickup persons
Changes happen—people get new phones, switch carriers, or update emergency contacts. But if those updates aren’t shared with the school, it can create serious communication gaps. This is especially critical in emergency situations, when being able to reach a parent or guardian quickly could be essential.
If your contact information has changed recently, take a moment to call or visit your school office to update your records. Many schools also offer online portals where you can make these updates yourself.
Working Together for Student Success
Ultimately, when schools and families communicate effectively, students thrive. Timely updates, open lines of communication, and mutual respect form the foundation of a strong partnership between home and school.
Parents and guardians play an important role by:
Making sure voicemail is active and messages are checked
Clearing out full voicemail boxes
Updating all contact information when it changes
Responding to school messages promptly
These simple steps ensure that no important communication is missed and that everyone is working together to support each child’s well-being and success.