Tier 1 · Universal
Positive home contact
Reach out to families with good news before (and alongside) any concerns.
How to do it
- Aim to make a positive contact with every family early in the year.
- Share one specific positive: “Today Jordan helped a classmate find the right page without being asked.”
- Use the family’s preferred language and method: call, text, note, or app.
- Log each contact so you can see who you haven’t reached.
- For students with ongoing concerns, keep a ratio of more positive than negative contacts.
Why it works
- Builds trust so hard conversations go better
- Families reinforce success at home
- Students feel noticed for the right things
When to use it
- In the first weeks of school, for every family
- Whenever a student makes progress
- Before contacting a family about a concern
Tips and pitfalls
- A short note home costs very little and often has a big effect on older students too.
- Use an interpreter or translation tool if the family prefers another language.
Templates for this strategy
Positive note home
Quick, printable notes to celebrate specific successes with families. Four per page.
Positive note home.docxFamily contact log
Keep a record of every family contact, positive or concerning, and any follow-up.
Family contact log.docxHelps with
Not working after a fair trial?
Check that it’s been used consistently for 4–6 weeks and that your data shows the pattern. If so, look at the next tier of support for this behavior.
Tier 2 · Targeted