Outlook
A miscommunication with a colleague left me in a difficult situation with parents in my class. I want to clear up the communication to avoid this happening again. What should I keep in mind?
It's important to keep a professional tone, avoid emailing when angry, and proofread messages to ensure communication is clear and constructive.
Students can create group chats in Teams to use for collaboration on projects (T/F)?
False - This function is disabled for students. Teachers need to create and monitor groups chats used for academic collaboration.
The purpose of Managebac Behavior Comments is to record misconduct. (T/F)
False: The purpose of Managebac Behavior Comments is to keep a professional log of important student information. This includes positive commendations, parent communication, classroom accomodations, support referals, and records of misconduct).
What is the platform we will use for urgent workplace communication during the school day (A: DingTalk, B: WeChat or C: WeCom)?
C: WeCom
I can have students and parents as WeChat contacts (T/F)?
False: Teachers are prohibited from having student WeChat (or other social media) contacts. Teachers are discouraged from having parent contacts on WeChat.
Recently, I missed a cover lesson and was suprised by a new student who turned up in my lesson. What should I keep in mind to help me avoid this?
All staff are responsible to check emails daily and need to pay attention to the daily notice each morning for cover assignments, duty changes, schedule adjustments, and new student notices.
Which Teams Channel can I use to find In-Service Materials?
All Staff
It's important for parents to be well-informed so all comments should be marked - visible to parents (T/F)?
False: the Behavior Comments are an internal school record. Professional judgement and YCYW Guidelines (R&B Guidelines)should be used when making the comment visible to parent or student.
WeCom is used as social media platform for the school (T or F)?
False. For our context, WeCom is used a professional communication so care must be taken to maintain a professional tone and consider confidentiality concerns.
Evaluate this parent message: Dear Parent, Recently student X has displayed increased focus during lessons by listening carefully and asking insightful questions. Completion of homework remains an area for improvement. Finshing homework tasks will help X to review the topics covered in the lesson and check understanding. I hope we can work together to encourage X to complete their IXL tasks this week.
Positive. Collaborative. Solution Focused.
What are useful purposes for Teams:
A. Collaboration with colleagues from other campuses.
B. Communication with Students about projects.
C. Accessing Planning for Whole-School Events
D. All of the Above.
D: All of the Above
Which MB comment is more professional and why?
A: Tommy wanted to use the bathroom during my lesson. I refused and he said, "F You" loudly in front of the whole class and walked out. I think he went to the bathroom to vape. He won't be allowed back into my classroom without an apology.
B: Tommy used profanity and left the classroom during the lesson. Support was requested. Collaborating with Form Tutor to contact parents and Head of Secondary on restorative actions and support.
A: Excessive detail. Emotional Focus. Lack of Constructive Folow-Up.
B: Concise Account. Factual Response. Constructive Next Steps.
I don't like being on my phone during the school day and only want to check WeCom messages at the end of the school-day. Is this ok?
No. Staff are expected to monitor WeCom regularly during the working day in order to respond to urgent messages in a timely manner.
What are things to consider when making a phone-call home to parents about an academic concern?
Keeping communication positive, student focused, goal oriented, and collaborative.
Involving form tutor, HOD or Division Head
Recording parental contact and any agreements on MB
Reply within 24 hours (within the working week) so before 1pm on Monday.
I recieved this message on Teams from a student who struggles to make friends and may have some SEN needs: Hi teacher, how are you? I remember you said that you like Star Wars. I do too. This summer I went to Disney and I got you a Star Wars mug. Soon the new Star Wars movie will come out. I want to watch it. Do you want to watch it too? Maybe we can watch it together?
A: Notify your HOD AND a WeCare Team member
B: Seek support to ensure parents are notified.
C: Seek support to ensure a professional reply to this student.
D: Continue seeking accountability for communicating with this student in a professional way.
A student in my class has reported that nasty notes and trash are being left in their locker by several classmates. You suspect bullying. Where should this be recorded (Managebac, WeCare or Both?).
Both:
MB: Student reported vandalism of their locker. Details logged in WeCare as a potential bullying concern. Related concerns should be reported to the DSL. Monitoring in place.
WeCare: Log all details of the students account (time, place, students involved, actions taken).
I have an urgent need for support in my classroom. Where should I request support (All Staff, Academic Staff, Student Support)? and what should be in my message?
Appropriate - Student Support: Help + Room Number
Inappropriate - Y8 George is ruining my lesson, I need him removed now.
An issue occurs during a lesson with a cover teacher or part-time specialist teacher. How should the communication with parents be managed?
Communication should be managed by the Co-Teacher, Form Tutor or Head of Section with input/collaboration from the Cover Teacher or Part Time Specialist.
I am catching up with my work over the weekend, and have some ideas I want to share via email. What tool can I use to accomplish my work and be respectful of colleagues rest time?
The scheduled send function in Outlook will allow me to finish writing my message and set it to deliver during working hours.
I have posted a time sensitive update in a Teams Group. How can I ensure that relevant staff recieve it?
@ the appropriate person to increase the the likelihood that they will recieve it in a timely fashion. Consider sending a follow-up email or WeCom if the content is urgent.
Evaluate this MB Comment: Y11 Alex cheated on the exam in my class. I saw him looking at notes that he was hiding under his hoodie. I gave Alex a zero and confronted him about it. The student got upset and said, "Please don't tell my parents, they will kill me. I would be better if I just die." Someone should contact parents about this and the student should be kept at home until they are safe.
This comment is inappropriate for Managebac.
Suicidal Ideation: Immediate report to WeCare Team member + WeCare Record
Academic Integrity: Urgent report to Head of Division + Parental Contact + Discreet MB record.
What things are appropriate to post in the All Staff Group?
Urgent Safety Concern - Broken Staircase Railing, Time Sensitive Schedule Change - Indoor Play, All Staff Meeting Reminder.
Fill in the blanks: We believe that quality _____-teacher relationships are at the heart of meaningful _________, leading to highly effective ______ and _________.
Student
Engagement
Teaching
Learning