Let’s be honest—the first week back is a lot.
No matter how many years I’ve been in the classroom, that first-week energy feels like a whirlwind. Between name games, rosters that change daily, and rediscovering my teacher voice after summer, it’s easy to feel scattered.
But even in the chaos, there’s one thing I never skip during the first week of school:
I call and text home.
Not because someone broke a rule. That’ll come later.
I’m talking about calling home to celebrate a student.
And not just any student. I start with the ones I know might need the most support this year—the student who’s already bouncing out of their seat, the one calling out during directions, the one trying to test how serious I am about the seating chart.
I call their family first.
I tell the caregiver how glad I am to have their child in my class. I highlight a genuine positive I’ve already noticed—maybe they helped a classmate, made an insightful comment, or showed leadership during cleanup. Then I ask if there’s anything I can do to support their student this year.
Let me tell you—that one call lays the foundation for everything that follows.
These families are used to getting phone calls. But when that first one is positive, it changes the dynamic. Similarly, those students come bouncing in the next day excited that their parents got a positive call, and that motivates them to try harder. Later in the year, if I do need the family’s insight or support, we’re starting from a place of shared trust rather than a place of difficulty.
How I Set Myself Up for Success
I do try to reach every student’s family within the first two weeks of school. But I always start with the students who may need me to be in their corner the most. Here’s how I make that manageable:
1. I collect contact info directly from students.
On the second day of school, I ask students to fill out an index card with their caregiver’s name, phone number, daytime availability, and whether a translator is needed. It saves me time digging through files and helps ensure I’m using the right number from day one.
2. I keep a communication log.
I use a simple tracker to log each contact. It helps me stay organized and ensures no one falls through the cracks. (I print mine with three holes so it slips right into my planning binder.)
3. I use Google Voice.
With a separate number for calls and texts, families know it’s me—and I can keep my personal number private.
4. I set a goal and stick to it.
Whether it’s one call a day or five, I set a realistic goal and build it into my prep time or after-school routine. I may decide to do two calls and five texts to keep it moving more quickly (and because text is easier for my Spanish speaking families). If you’ve got a teaching partner or teammate, consider checking in with each other to stay on track.
Starting the year strong isn’t about having the perfect anchor chart or seating plan—it’s about building relationships. And that first phone call home? It’s one of the most powerful tools we’ve got.
