Trauma Sensitivity in Early Learning

Brockton’s Use of Warm Voices in Parent Partnerships

In the Brockton Public Schools, we recognized the need early in the pandemic for a districtwide plan for communicating with families. In May, Superintendent Michael Thomas established and chaired a reopening committee composed of counselors, teachers, administrators, school board members, parents and union representatives. The group met weekly throughout the summer to discuss best approaches for connecting with families and providing support during school closures.

The district’s 11 elementary principals convened via Zoom to devise strategies for their staff members for connecting with parents prior to the start of school. Our superintendent said: “Education doesn’t happen in silos. It requires collaboration across every department and every school.”

Brockton staff were counseled that using warm voices during phone conversations and that saying “we care” are more powerful than e-mail messages. Staff were also advised that using their first names in welcoming and informal calls worked best when connecting with parents. During phone conversations, staff made sure to ask students how they were faring and teachers checked what name they preferred to use in class. Did the family have Wi-Fi? (If not, Brockton staff offered to set up a hot spot in partnership with an internet provider.) What was the best way to stay in contact? And, how was their pandemic experience?

When those being called by staff indicated they had lost family members, educators thanked them for sharing this information and discussed how best the teacher could support the child.

— Joanne Camillo