Great Communication Is a Team Sport—And Every Family Belongs
- David Lucre
- Mar 13
- 3 min read
As a football coach, social studies and science teacher, I noticed that I was having more communication during the first semester, when football season was in full swing, with those families who had students involved with football.
I wanted to reach out to the other families who were not having the same level of communication, and wanted them to realize that by me reaching out, all the kids are treated equally. Some families I connected with in sports, but not all students are athletes.
So, I designed a weekly class newsletter, which ensured that communication was consistent among all students. This included an invitation to let me know of things their student deserve a congratulations, or if they are struggling with the curriculum.
It made a difference.
Turns Out, Communication Has a “Season”
It didn’t take long for me to notice a pattern.
During football season, communication with families was booming. I saw parents at games, practices, and events. We talked about the latest games, armchair quarterback topics, and—occasionally—academics.
But once the football season ended? Radio silence.
Not because parents didn’t care (they absolutely did), but because not every student wears a jersey or runs onto a field on Friday nights. Some students shine quietly in classrooms, behind screens, or with a book in hand. And their families deserve the same connection—without having to memorize a playbook.
No Child Left Un-Communicated With
Here’s the truth: when communication only happens organically, it’s easy for it to become uneven. The “frequent flyers” get updates, while others are left refreshing their inbox wondering, "Is everything fine… or should I be worried?"
That’s when I realized communication shouldn’t depend on proximity, sports schedules, or how often we cross paths. It should be consistent, predictable, and fair—kind of like grading, but with fewer rubrics and more kindness.
Enter: The Newsletter (Cue Dramatic Music)
The weekly class newsletter became my secret weapon.
One message.
Same information.
Every family.
Every week.
No guesswork.
No favoritism.
No need to catch me between drills or dismissal.
And yes—it included an open invitation:
Tell me if your student deserves a shoutout (because bragging rights are encouraged).
Tell me if they’re struggling (because mind-reading is not part of teacher certification).
Suddenly, families felt informed. Students felt seen. And parents stopped wondering if “no news” was good news or very suspicious news.
Why Humor (and Humanity) Matter
Let’s be real—parents are busy.
Between work, homework, dinner debates, and the eternal mystery of where all the chargers go, school communication needs to be clear and human.
A little humor says, I get it.
Parenting is hard.
School is complicated.
We’re on the same team.
And when families feel comfortable, they’re more likely to reach out before a problem snowballs into a crisis.
The K-12 Bridge Takeaway
Strong parent-school communication isn’t about sending more messages—it’s about sending the right ones, consistently, and with intention.
When schools communicate equitably, trust grows.
When trust grows, students thrive.
And when everyone feels included—athletes, artists, scientists, gamers, and future world-changers alike—that’s when education truly becomes powered.
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