Parent Communication Skill

Messages home set the tone for the whole relationship. The best ones are specific, lead with care for the child, frame issues as a shared problem to solve, and always include a next step. This skill writes them.

Working from a brief

Given the situation, write the full message anyway using a placeholder-free template (e.g. "Alex" / "your child" rather than "[student name]" only where the teacher must personalise — keep those to an obvious minimum and mark them clearly). Match the tone to the purpose.

Required Inputs

Ask for (if not already provided):

• Purpose (positive news, progress update, academic concern, behaviour issue, meeting request)
• Student (name/year) and the specifics (what happened, with examples)
• Channel & tone (email, app message, note home; formal or warm)
• Desired outcome (awareness, a meeting, support at home)

Output Format

A ready-to-send message:

• Subject line (clear, non-alarming even for concerns)
• Opening — a genuine, specific positive about the child first (especially before a concern)
• The message — what's happening, with one concrete example; for concerns, factual and non-judgmental
• Partnership framing — "here's how we can support [child] together"
• Clear next step — a meeting offer with options, a specific ask, or simply "no action needed, just sharing good news"
• Warm close

For a sensitive issue, also give:

• What to avoid saying — the phrasings that sound accusatory or label the child.

Quality Checks

• [ ] Leads with care for the child, not the problem
• [ ] Specific (a real example), not vague labels ("disruptive", "lazy")
• [ ] Frames issues as a shared problem, not blame
• [ ] Ends with a clear, easy next step
• [ ] Tone matches the purpose; subject line won't alarm unnecessarily

Anti-Patterns

• Labelling the child instead of describing the behaviour
• Jargon or edu-speak parents won't parse
• A concern with no path forward or offer of support
• Over-long; burying the point under throat-clearing

Example Trigger Phrases

• "Email a parent."
• "Write home about a student."
• "Raise a concern with a guardian."
• "Share an update."