During an LT administrative committee, the idea of weekly home communication through reports was brought up by a staff member who receives similar reports from their student’s district, Principal Jennifer Tyrrell said. When considering these reports, accessibility was a key concern, and ensuring that these resources were available to everyone was crucial. Although the reports are mainly attendance-based, other relevant information is also included.

“We thought that if we were going to be looking at a way to bring awareness to attendance, we should also include really important information regarding grades that families are interested in knowing about and bring it to them in a really accessible way,” Tyrrell said.

The addition of these reports is to help, support, and benefit students, whether that be directly by the school or conversations at home that may stem from these emails, Assistant Principal Adam Davis said. The clear and consistent communication is meant to improve the connection with LT and the community.

“A goal for these weekly reports is to strengthen the partnership between families and LT by keeping parents informed and engaged in a one-stop shop type of communication,” Davis said. “This regular update [allows families] to celebrate progress, address concerns immediately, and help support academic and personal growth.”

With the reports still being in their early stages, feedback has been limited. Decisions regarding the permanence of these emails have not yet been made concrete.

“We always evaluate any changes that we make, we evaluate our communication structures, programs that we have, interventions that are included as parts of our programs,” Tyrrell said. “I can’t say for sure if these will be communications that will persist beyond this [school] year.”

Parents have many commitments, and the process of repeatedly checking Infinite Campus can be hard to keep up with, NC Nurse and parent Laura Byrne said. Having these records easily accessible and being aware of attendance and grades is very helpful. 

“As a busy parent, it is very helpful to receive a concise weekly report with my students’ attendance and grades,” Byrne said. “Absences can accrue quickly, and as a parent, I appreciate being reminded of how many my student has accumulated.”

These weekly reports are not only meant for easy access to important information for parents but also to encourage responsibility in students, Davis said. The reports are not to harm students, but instead, to boost and better their chances of success.

“[The reports] encourage student accountability and continue to foster a relationship between LT and families that aim to build trust and a collaborative approach to student success,” Davis said.

Superintendent Brian Waterman recognizes the importance of LT having a strong relationship with their community. 

“Communication and collaboration with our students and families is such a critical part of the partnership we enjoy with them, and these weekly reports serve as an important component to ensure that students have the information they need to be successful,” Waterman said.