Here is a tool for keeping in contact with parents. It translates!
Reach every parent with ClassTag
Have you heard of ClassTag? I’m a big fan of this parent communication tool. I even spent time with them at their booth at ISTE a few years ago. ClassTag is a popular family communication tool with lots of special features for teachers and families.
ClassTag is totally free and includes direct messaging using both email and text messages to communicate. Teachers can set up class-wide announcements as well. So you can send a notification to everyone or a special message to just one or a few families. There is the option to share videos and photos too making it perfect for every day sharing or sharing after a field trip or assembly. Teachers can also use ClassTag for meeting signups during parent-teacher conferences.
Parent Features
ClassTag adapts to parent preferences. When you send a message, directly to a parent or to the class, they automatically receive it in the way they choose. For example, there is an automatic translation into over fifty languages. So if a parent signs up with your unique code, they will receive messages from you in their native language. Parents can also decide if they want to receive messages from teachers via email or text. ClassTag is available on any device, so families can read messages and receive updates from their go-to device like a cell phone or laptop.
Teacher Features
In addition to these special features for families, there are lots of perks for teachers too. Teachers using ClassTag can see who is the loop. That’s because ClassTag lets you know who has read a message, and who hasn’t seen a message yet. This information can help you make sure families see all of the critical information you share. Teachers will also receive notifications when a family’s contact details are in need of an update. This way you can send notes home or make a phone call to families who may be hard to reach electronically.
Click here to sign up for a ClassTag account - it's free!
January tips for family engagement
To kick off 2019, a free ClassTag account can give you opportunities to take control of everything on your calendar. In addition to the features mentioned above, I want to spotlight a few activities you can create with ClassTag to try out this month!
1. Create Events: This year, keep your upcoming events organized through ClassTag. You can create an event in ClassTag that lets every family know about the next parent curriculum night, school play, or anything else on this month's schedule.
2. Request Volunteers: Whether you're hosting a car wash or looking for parents to present on career day, ClassTag can help you manage volunteer requests. With a few clicks on your ClassTag teacher dashboard you can request volunteers for anything going on in your classroom this month.
3. Item Requests: If you have a list full of to do items and know that families in your class can help, you can create a "to do item" in ClassTag. This means you have the opportunity to ask for help from families and know who has committed to making sure things run smoothly in your classroom this month.
4. Conference Sign-Ups: Are parent-teacher conferences on your schedule this quarter? You can create a sign up schedule for families using the ClassTag platform.
In the image above, you can see how easy it is to click on the Activities tab and choose which activity you'd like to create for your class.
Another way to use ClassTag this year is for weekly summaries. At the beginning or end of each week - you choose the time - you can send out a weekly summary to families. This way you can keep everyone up-to-date and start 2019 off strong!
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