Remind App: A Quick & Easy Way To Communicate With Parents

We all know that it’s important to keep the lines of communication open with our student’s parents. But how do we do this when our time is limited?  One way I’ve been able to do this is by taking advantage of technology… and by technology I mean an app called REMIND. Not only am I loving this app, but for the past 2 years, I’ve only heard positive feedback from parents. So much so, that I’ve even had colleagues approach me about it because former parents have mentioned it to them.

 

If you’ve never heard of REMIND, no worries… I’m here to give you the 411 so that you can decide if this is something that might work for you

 

What Is Remind?

Remind is a free service, or app, that makes it easy to stay connected with parents. With Remind you can send real-time messages to all your parents, to a selected group of parents, or even to an individual mom or dad right from your cell phone or computer. This comes in quite handy when you need to send a quick message letting parents know of any last minute schedule changes. {Like when you have a parent conference scheduled, but get into a car accident on your way to school and have to reschedule #truestory

 

Something else that really attracted me to this service, is that all phone numbers remain private. That’s right… no need to share your number with parents or even for them to give you theirs. You also have the choice of allowing parents to respond to your messages or you can turn the feature off and they’ll receive your messages but won’t be able to reply. The choice is yours!

 

So What Exactly Can I Do With Remind?

 

• Send reminders or updates for upcoming meetings, dress down days, field trips, events, school activities, holiday events, class parties, etc…
• Schedule announcements to go out on a certain day and time
• Send messages to the entire class or individual parents
• Send info. about upcoming projects or assignments
• Share weekly updates of what the students are learning in class
• Share class photos during field trips, special activities, or even excellent work
• Keep absent students in the loop by texting parents what assignments they need to make up
• Share links to sites parents might find helpful
• Answer parent questions about homework, class material, assignments, etc..
• Share personalized feedback
• Send home quick updates about student progress
• Announce something you forgot during the day
• Inform parents of last minute calendar/ schedule changes
• Let parents know that you are in need of volunteers
• Let parents know that report cards or progress reports are coming home
• Remind parents of their conference date and time
• Reach out to a parent who has yet to return a form you sent home for them to complete and return
• Reach out to a parent whose child you might be concerned about
• Stay connected with parents whose children might require special attention

 

 

How Do I Set It Up?

1. 1. Create an account here. It takes maybe 2 minutes to do this! Very simple…
   2. Add parents. The easiest way I have found to to do this is by sending home a letter explaining the app and having them text your specific class code to the number 81010. In the picture below you can see the letter I use in my class. If you’d like a copy, feel free to download the letter by clicking on the picture below. I’ve also included directions for locating your unique class code.
   3. Once your parents have signed up… Go ahead and start messaging them! It’s really that easy!!!!

 

I hope you’ll give Remind a try because it’s really changed the way I communicate with my parents. Not to mention all the time it’s saving me !!!

 

 

 

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