Starting the School Year Off Right!

I am a BIG fan of making sure that I, as a teacher, do everything possible during the first few days and weeks of school to reach out to my new students and their families. Research proves that establishing those positive connections with students and parents early on will help give the teacher a positive communication platform to build off of throughout the rest of the school year.

But honestly, let's forget about "research" for a moment. 

I can tell you from personal experience that going that extra mile to create positive relationships with your students' parents is worth every.single.second. And, you can't start that process until you establish a great relationship with your students first.

Over the last few years in the classroom, I have realized that getting to know your students and building relationships with them is one of the most important things that you can doing the first few weeks of school. 

In order to help me begin to establish that relationship, I send out Back to School postcards to my students a few days before our registration day. I didn't realize what a huge impact such a task could have until I had two boys walk into school last year holding a crinkled postcard in their hands just to show me that they had gotten it! One said, "I have never gotten anything in the mail before!".

*Life made right there, folks! 

Now that I know those postcards are getting read and that students are excited about getting them; I send them out every year and will continue to do so. 

Here are a few previews of the ones that I am sending out to my kiddos this year!

The message lines are simple- "Hi _______! Did you have a good summer? It sure flew by fast! I cannot wait to be your second grade teacher this year. We are going to learn a lot of new things, and have a great time! I can't wait to meet you! Love, Ms. Young" Or...something like that.

If you don't send out postcards...I highly encourage you to do so. And, don't stress if there is not a way for you to get them out to your students before you meet them for the first time! Maybe you can send them out after the first day or first week of school. Students like getting mail, and they like that their teacher is sending them something. 

Oh...and I know that you have tons of students, and it takes a long time to write out an individualized message for each student by hand, but I feel like that is more personable than a generic typed message. Just personal opinion! :) 

There are a ton of cute postcard formats out there. I have several versions in my store(FREEBIES, too!!) AND I have a new editable postcards product!  Click on the picture above to take you to it. 

Now, this is my last "school free week" before the back to school craze begins so I am going to go soak up some sun and be laaaaaazy!

What are some ways that you establish positive connections with your students?!?