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SMART Goal: Parent outreach

9/10/2016

11 Comments

 
It’s that time of year for SMART goals, so I’ve been reflecting on areas in which I need to improve.  While there are so many to choose from, I’ve decided that this year I’ll be focusing on improving my communication with parents.  It’s a big goal, so I’ve broken it down into some very actionable steps.  In fact, I can already check most of them off my to-do list!​
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​Step 1: Parents need to know who I am and why I’m here.  So I spent a ridiculous amount of time updating my School Counseling brochure and making a tri-board. 

At Open House, instead of putting up a few signs pointing to my office and waiting there for people to show up (or not), I set up a table right in the foyer.  I had the tri-board, copies of the brochure, a stack of my business cards, some of my “self-calming and mindfulness tools” for people to take (pool noodle stress fidgets and Starburst candies), and a sign-up sheet for my parent e-newsletter.  Which brings us to...

Step 2: Parents might like to hear about what I’m up to at our school: what concepts and strategies I’m teaching in different classes, what kind of groups I’m running, and what school-wide initiatives I’m helping to organize. 

I decided I’ll write a parent e-newsletter they can subscribe to.  I’ll also include tips and resources for them to help their children develop social-emotional skills.  I’m planning on publishing the newsletter once a trimester.  That’s not as overwhelming as a monthly commitment, and I can always do more than that if I'm so inclined (I won't be).  I haven’t sent the first one out yet because I’m still trying to figure out Mailchimp, but I have set up a link for people to subscribe on my Google Drive.​  Don't sign up there, but if you want to get a copies of the newsletter when they go out, e-mail me and I'll put you on a non-school list.

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Step 3: For some parents, even signing up for my e-newsletter might feel risky. So I’ve set up a professional Facebook page and Pinterest account, which allows them to “lurk” without interaction or commitment if that's what they're comfortable with.

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​Finally, Step 4, which is related but not directly:  I’m collecting data to assess how I’m coming on my SMART goal.  I’ll track the number of followers I have on my FB and Pinterest accounts on the last day of every month, as well as note how many posts or pins I made that month.  I also, of course, will track the number of people who subscribe to my e-newsletter.  At the end of the year it will take about 10 seconds to compile that data into a sweet little line graph to upload to Teachpoint.

Having a goal this public is either going to be really motivating or really embarrassing.  We’ll have to wait until June to see which!

11 Comments
Kandice schucker link
8/11/2017 05:41:50 am

Thanks for sharing. I'm looking to do more outreach as my third year as a school counselor. These are awesome ideas and I would love to subscribe to your e newsletter!

Reply
Laurie
8/11/2017 07:11:19 pm

Thanks, Kandice! Best of luck with your own parent outreach. Let me know if you come up with any other ideas.

Reply
Sherry
8/24/2018 08:33:10 am

I love that brochure! Have you considered making an editable version for teacherspayteachers? I'd buy it. :) Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Laurie Mendoza
8/27/2018 03:34:04 pm

Thanks, Sherry! No, I hadn't considered putting it on TpT. If you want to give me your email address, I'll just send you the file.

Reply
Sherry
8/27/2018 05:00:09 pm

It’s scarducci@ycsd.york.va.us
Thank you so much! Xx

Emma
9/19/2018 07:45:32 am

I love the brochure! Would you mind emailing me an editable version?

Thank you!

Reply
Erin
8/8/2019 12:09:44 pm

I am a first year counselor and stumbled upon your page. I have officially book marked it because just glancing at it, it is going to be a great resource!! Thank you for the time and work you have put into it for people like myself!

Reply
Cinema Minnesota link
3/17/2021 12:25:14 am

Great blog you havve

Reply
Beatriz
3/27/2022 08:57:53 pm

Great Brochure!!

Would love an editable version of your brochure! Here's my email: bzavala@bousd.us

THANKS!

Reply
Alicia
9/12/2022 06:24:39 pm

These are all great ideas! Absolutely love the brochure you created. Would you mind sharing the editable version for the brochure?

Reply
Thomas Chandler link
11/15/2022 05:01:15 am

Most drop manage first north model receive where. Letter big might section one item decade true. Try various meet check will.

Reply



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    Laurie P. Mendoza, 
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    I've been an elementary school counselor in Massachusetts for almost 20 years, so have a lot of opinions on everything!

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  • Program Planning
  • Counseling Activities
    • Activities for Kids on the Autism Spectrum
    • Anger Management Activities
    • Activities for Anxious Kids
    • Girl Power
    • Zones of Regulation/Emotional Regulation Activities
    • Social Superheroes
    • Individual Counseling
    • General Counseling Activities
    • Mindfulness Activities
  • DATA COLLECTION
  • Communicate
  • Share/Connect
  • Blog