Communication Guidelines for FPS Families

Three Asks for Proactive and Respectful Communication:

Patience.  Our educators and school leaders are responsible for managing their email inboxes; however, the reality of the day-to-day operations of school means they are often unable to respond on the same day. At times, it may take a couple of days. If there is an immediate issue related to your child’s safety, please call your child’s school to speak with the school secretary, nurse, school counselor, or a member of the administrative team. 

Assume positive intentions. If you are unsure about a policy, lesson activity, or rule, seek information about the full context. An assumption of positive intent creates a healthier dynamic for resolving conflict, minimizes defensiveness, keeps communication open, and builds trust between the two parties.

Understand confidentiality requirements. When conflict or bullying occurs between students, the parents of the victim (and sometimes the students) want to know the details of the punishment for the offender. Federal student privacy laws prohibit school officials from sharing information about a student with another student’s family, and this includes how another student may have been disciplined.  To understand how students are held accountable, please review the student handbook, which requires parent/guardian signature at the beginning of the school year.

Connect directly with your child's TEACHER(S) to discuss questions or concerns about:

• Student performance
• Classwork/Homework
• Coursework/Curriculum
• Social and emotional development (begin with the teacher)
• Schedule a conference

Connect directly with your child's SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR to discuss questions or concerns about:

• Student conduct and/or discipline
• School safety matters
• School-wide practices or events
• Questions or concerns that the classroom teacher, school counselor or other staff member closest to the issue cannot address*
• School-based rules and policies

• Student Services
• Curriculum & Assessment
• Human Resources
• Business & Financial
• Food Services
• Transportation
• Residency
• District-wide Protocols
• Employment Opportunities
• When a concern or question cannot be addressed by staff members closest to the issue, such as a classroom teacher, department head, principal, etc.

Connect with the FRANKLIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE to discuss: 

• School Committee Goals
• Budget Development
• School Committee Policy
• Community Communications