4 Keys to Building Stronger School Home Connections

• By Dr. Kimberley Thompson-Hairston
• 09/24/25

K–12 leaders know that strong family engagement drives student success. It leads to better achievement, fewer behavior issues, stronger relationships between schools and families, and a more positive learning environment.

Technology gives schools a powerful way to build those relationships. Digital platforms — like the social media sites that have become part of daily life — make it easy for schools and families to stay connected. These tools support two-way communication and help families feel like part of a learning community.

Parents want to know what's going on during the school day. Technology can provide a window into classroom learning, so families not only know how their children are doing — but what and how they're learning. When families are informed, they're better able to support their child's academic growth and emotional well-being.

At Stokes County Schools in North Carolina, we want families to feel like they're part of our school day. All of our elementary schools use a free online communication platform called ClassDojo to connect with families and share what kids are learning. Our goal is to build strong, consistent communication between home and school — because we know that connection makes a difference.

Because we're serious about family engagement, we've set ambitious goals for how we use the platform. We ask teachers to:

• Share at least two class stories each week;
• Reply to messages within 24 hours whenever possible; and
• Aim for 90% of families to stay active and engaged on the platform.

To support those goals, we provide training and best practices for teachers. At the start of the school year, we also ran a campaign to get everyone excited about our family engagement targets. Teachers were encouraged to share their goals with one another and celebrate small wins as they worked toward districtwide participation.

And it worked. During the first week of school, our teachers posted more than 800 stories—and 98% of our families engaged with that content and their child's teacher. That level of connection helps create a sense of shared purpose between school and home.

Here are four other lessons we've learned from this success.

1) Share meaningful content that matters.

In training, we emphasize that quality matters. Parents are more likely to engage with Class Stories that feel relevant and personal — and photos are key. A single well-framed image of a child learning can spark a meaningful conversation at home.

We tell teachers that two or three great photos, paired with a short description, go further than a photo dump. A strong post gives families insight into what's happening and offers a way to extend the learning at home.

For example:

"Our students explored fractions today! They compared ½ and ⅓ by coloring in a 'fraction wall' and discussing which was larger. Here's a simple activity you can try together at home…"

These quick, meaningful stories create a bridge between school and home. They also reinforce to families that their child is supported, engaged, and growing every day.

2) Be consistent and predictable.

Posting regularly helps build trust — and builds habits. We've found that when teachers share updates on a predictable schedule, families are more likely to engage.

We also remind teachers to repeat key information. One post about an upcoming event isn't enough. A better plan is to post once a month out, then two weeks out, and again three days before the event. This makes sure messages don't get lost or forgotten.

Consistency not only keeps families informed, but it also signals that school communication is a priority. Over time, it builds confidence that teachers are accessible and transparent partners in a child's learning.

3) Make every child visible.

Families want to see their child featured in class stories and photos. We encourage teachers to be thoughtful and make sure every student gets a moment in the spotlight.

If one post features a group of five students, the next post should highlight a different group. A simple rotation ensures all kids are represented — and all families feel seen.

Teachers have told us this approach helps build stronger relationships with families, especially early in the year. When a parent sees their child learning and having fun, it opens the door to positive conversation and trust.

4) Choose platforms that protect student privacy.

Student safety and privacy matter deeply to families — and to us. That's why we only use approved communication tools that are secure and private.

Many families in our district choose not to share photos of their children on public platforms like Facebook. But they feel comfortable with our communications tool because it's a closed system, designed for schools. Families know who can see posts, and they trust the platform.

As the director of instructional technology, I'm constantly evaluating new tools to make sure they meet our standards. I don't have to worry about this with our communications platform. The company prioritizes student safety, and that matters to us.

Strong school-home partnerships aren't built overnight. They require the right tools, clear expectations, and a shared commitment to consistency. But when schools invest in this work, the impact is transformational.

And, when families feel connected, informed, and empowered, kids flourish. With the right strategies in place, every district can build meaningful, lasting relationships with families—and give every child the support they need to thrive.