Talk about the positive, not just the negative
You don't want parents to dread getting a phone call or email from school.
Encourage teachers to talk to parents about the positive things, and not wait until there's an issue or a child is in trouble.
More regular communication about both the good and the bad helps turn parents into partners. Pupils spend most of their time outside of the classroom, so having parents as partners is critical.
It may be time-consuming, but the time spent is well worth it.
Email is fine, but phone calls are better
Phone calls feel more personal, and there's less opportunity for misunderstanding. Parents are also more likely to mention useful bits of information over the phone, which a teacher wouldn't otherwise get in an email.