Parent communication

As we are finishing up conference week I have been thinking a lot about how I communicate with parents and how Diane does.  Our situation is a bit unique in that Diane had most of these students last year and knows the families very well.  Additionally, Diane is very laid back about parent communication--there is no classroom newsletter or even regular website updates.  Even at conferences she doesn't really have a form or specific report filled out for the kids.  

Because of this most parent communication (besides conferences this week) happens via email and when they stop in to drop something off.  This means that I am often not involved in the communication as emails go directly to Diane and chats in the room often happen between Diane and the parent while I'm teaching.  This system works really well for her and jives with Diane's personality and general way of communicating.  In the future I imagine I will have more formal communication pathways with parents, because small talk and chit chat is not a strength for me.  I am more comfortable with a more structured conversation.  I've learned a lot however being in these conferences and having to simply speak up and chime in--I've done it in every conference and it feels good!