Parent Contact

Something new that was implimented this year at my school is that advisors would become a contact person for their advisement students. We had to make a folder for each students and make contact with their parent to discuss grades, any difficulties, as well as letting them know that we were availiable. This was set in place so that parents would have a contact person as well as trying to stay on top of the students grades rather than get to the end of the semester and, oh my gosh, they fail. Initially I thought this was a pain and unfair since I don't have any of my advisees in my classes and felt that the classroom teacher should do the calling, but, I have had positive experiences with this process. It is a little more work, but parents are calling with specific concerns, then I can make intervention, speak with teachers or just offer support to the parent and child. Overall I am amazed at the parental response. I have gotten some calls from very concerned parents but none have been unkind and they appreciate knowing quickly that their child is having academic difficulty. Hey, don't shoot the messenger, right! It also allows me productive conversation with my advisement students each Wednesday. They know that I will be asking about their grades, pulling grades up on the computer and calling parents. No student has ever questioned my motive or gotten mad about a parent contact. I think, hope, that they know all parent contact by me is for their benefit since I DON'T have them in class. Even though it is more work, it's working at our school.