Creating a warm & welcoming classroom environment is an important part of any teacher's job. Establishing an open line of communication with parents should also be a Back to School priority.
The day I get my class list, I send a handwritten postcard to each student. I introduce myself as their new teacher and tell them how excited I am to meet them! Over the years, parents have told me how much this note has meant to their child. Receiving snail mail is so rare these days, and it really gets the kiddos excited about the new school year. My first year teaching I had 53 Kindergarteners (26 in the morning and 27 in the afternoon). My hand hurt after writing so many postcards, but it was worth it! :)
The only problem with postcards is you don't get a lot of space to write... and my handwriting is chunky. #teacherproblems Instead of sending postcards, try sending an All About the Teacher flyer to your students. You can include pictures of you and your family/pets. Introduce yourself by sharing what you love about your classroom and what you are most excited about. Let the students know you can't wait to meet them. Include a list of "Favorites" so the kiddos can learn a little bit more about their new teacher.
Invite your students to come and meet you at the school's Open House or Meet the Teacher night. (Hopefully the front office has a handout with details that you can include in the envelope.)
What does your school call the day where families come to meet you before school begins? Meet the Teacher night? Open House? Back to School night? Porch Party? Usually they drop off their school supplies, find their classroom, and say hello to the teacher. Every school calls it something different. What is it called in your neck of the woods?
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