More teachers are starting off the school year with letters to parents and students to introduce themselves
and set a tone (基调)for the year. The letters are a good way to start positive communication with parents,
several teachers told Education World.
     "I think it's professional (专业的)," said Dorothy Peselli, an English teacher at Sparta
High School in Sparta, New Jersay, Peselli, who gives out the letters the first day of school,
told Education World."It gives parents an image of you as a professional. If you start
communication off in a positive manner, you will have the parents on your side when you need them."
     In her letter to parents, Peselli encourages them to call or e-mail her with specific concerns about their
children."I want to work as a team to make sure that your child becomes an independent lifelong learner,"
Peselli wrote to parents last September. She also telephones the parents of all her students at the beginning of
the year.
     Peselli includes with the letter a classroom handbook (手册) listing plans and rules. And she requires that
both parents and students read and sign statements (included in the letter!) that they read the handbook. The
student letter also lists needed supplies and gives encouragement."Please come to class ready to work and learn.
This will be an exciting year for all of us," it  says.
      Last year, Peselli taught at a different high school and parents there were"shocked", but appreciative, that
she had so much contact with them,"I received roses and a thank-you note from one boy and his mother".
Peselli said. She wished her own children's teachers would take the time to write notes as well."I never got a
letter home from any of my daughter's high school teachers." She said. "It would be nice to know the
background of some of the people who are teaching my daughter."