|
Home-School Connection
Overview
When parents and
faculty stay in touch—through telephone calls, conferences, notes,
letters, and emails—students benefit. Parent interest and
involvement in their child’s education is key to student success.
As the use of
email has become more commonplace in today’s society, the need to
delineate certain guidelines regarding this means of communication
has emerged. These guidelines are necessary to ensure the
confidentiality and professionalism of its content, particularly as
it relates to identifying student information. Privacy and
confidentiality of information contained in emails is not
guaranteed.
Parents may
authorize the use of email for otherwise confidential information
and recognize that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Information contained in the email is on a “need to know basis” and
is intended for the sender and recipient(s).
General Email
Guidelines and Etiquette
SRMS considers
email as a means of communication between home and school and
recognizes the importance of proper email content. An email is also
considered professional communication, so it is important for all
parties to maintain professionalism when communicating via email.
 | It should
be understood that expectations of civility in communications at
SRMS are the same for email as for face-to-face communication.
Respect for one another should be evident in tone and language,
as well as content. Email, as written communication, sometimes
lacks the other important aspects of personal interaction such
as facial expression and tone of voice. It is important that
your message text is clear and to the point. |
|
Unfortunately, email does not convey tone and affect, and may
cause the message to seem abrupt or confrontational when used in
haste or anger. Therefore, email may not be the best means to
facilitate discussions on issues of significant concern. Such
issues are best left to a personal meeting. |
| Write as if
you were speaking to someone, but don't write anything you
wouldn't say directly to them. |
| A hostile
email is only going to exacerbate the situation and make the
recipient defensive. |
| Compose a
clear and concise message explaining the issue, stating a
concern, or asking a question. |
| This is
also an opportunity for parents and faculty/staff to demonstrate
mature behavior, by modeling adult
working relationships based upon civility, honesty, and
respect. Remember, people can quickly send an email in a
moment of anger, so take your time to respond once you have
carefully thought about your response. |
| Respect
confidentiality. Avoid sending sensitive or confidential
information via email. |
| Be polite,
avoid sarcasm. |
| Reread what
you have written after you have composed your email to ensure
all of the above mentioned guidelines have been followed.
Remember that anything you write in an email provides the
recipient with a permanent written record. Review your message
once more before sending it to be sure that you are
communicating the message you intend. |
| Do not
"Respond to All" if you just need to communicate with the
original sender. |
| Do not
forward anyone's email address without their knowledge. |
| Expect a
response in a reasonable amount of time (within 24-48 hours).
Parents, please be aware that each teacher works with a large
number of students each semester and school year. Please allow
them an adequate amount of time to respond to emails as they
receive them. |
|
|
