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Written Communication Evaluation: Classroom Newsletter
Classroom newsletters are excellent forms of written communication because it informs
parents about what is going on in the classroom with their children and keeps them up to date
with various school and classroom events. Besides letting the parents know what is going on in
the classroom, newsletters can serve other purposes, such as teachers introducing themselves,
explaining the various types of expectations, and how each teacher grades. Newsletters can be
highly informative and help teachers communicate with parents and guardians. Newsletters have
their advantages and disadvantages just like any other form written communication.
One of the most effective ways teachers can communicate with parents is through
creating a classroom newsletter at least once a month. In a newsletter, teachers can do several
things, such as informing parents about how they run their classrooms and about the various
types of events that are going on in the school and classroom. “Newsletters are easy for teachers
to prepare by using a template that can be either emailed or printed out and send home with each
student” (McCutchen, 2019). Newsletters are also excellent for parents who might have missed
out on back-to-school night and did not get to meet the teacher. The teacher can put other things
in the newsletter, including a section for feedback. Teachers can add various class activities, such
as a classroom spelling bee or a unit theme that fits with a particular holiday or season. With
sending it through email, many parents can look at the newsletter. It can be put onto a classroom
website or blog as well. There are many benefits that come from teachers putting together
classroom newsletter. Teachers can allow their students to contribute to the newsletters
throughout the year. “Students can prepare the newsletter as a group or class project, under
suitable circumstances” (Burden, 2017, p. 221). Newsletters are extremely versatile when it
comes to communicating with parents and guardians.
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Unfortunately, newsletters, also, have some flaws. They are not meant for teachers to
speak to the student’s parents privately. This form of communication also has a risk of being
overlooked as not important to a parent or being lost by students bringing the newsletter home.
Newsletters also can be short or exceptionally long and might come out once a week to once a
month. It is not meant to discuss private matters, such as behavior issues, each child’s
performance in the classroom, and IEPs. “During the school year, additional newsletters might
be sent to all families with information about special events, programs, content to be covered in
the curriculum, tests or quizzes that are coming up, student projects, and other issues” (Burden,
2017, p. 220). Newsletters does not focus on sensitive issues that should remain between
teachers and parents.
Despite the disadvantages, newsletters are an excellent way for teachers to talk with
parents. Parents get information that they need to help their children, and teachers can have a
way to ensure that students have information about their projects. It allows teachers to keep their
students accountable for what they are expected to do for that class. Parents keep in constant
contact with the teacher through newsletters.
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References
Burden, P. R. (2017). Classroom management. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
McCutchen, M. (2019, August 6). 10 strategies for improving home and school communication.
Classcraft. https://www.classcraft.com/blog/features/strategies-for-improving-home-
and-school- communication/
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