Educators value the involvement and support of parents, guardians, families and communities in schools.

I believe we as educators must always put our students first, and a great way to do so is to model to them what it means to be a collaborative person who values being a part of a community. A school community is beyond the walls of the school, a school community lies within the staff, students, parents, local businesses, and the community in which your school is found.

Throughout my practicums I found firsthand the benefits of connecting and collaborating with the family and local communities. I wrote a welcome letter to my parents so we could start off connected and collaborating from the start. I posted on Fresh grade to communicate things we have been learning and exploring within the class. I found the connections I made in my final practicum were so important as I found myself becoming a member of the school community as well as the local community of Big Lake.

Below is an example of my introduction letter sent home to parents.