'Please Backread And No Selling!' How To Keep Communication Professional In Your Class Group Chats

I might be betraying my age here but during my time in school, the only means of communicating with the school was via a landline phone. Are there classes today in spite of the typhoon? Call the school. What did I miss in the last two days I was absent? Catch up when I get back. As far as I know, my mom did not know any of my classmate’ parents, and was only able to see and nod to them in passing during the claiming of report cards and other parent-teacher conferences. Same goes with my teachers back then.

As a school mom these days, I am grateful that mobile phones and social media have allowed parents to be more hands-on and collaborative with the school and their other co-parents. Batch and class group chats have become the norm, especially during the pandemic years when it served as a crucial communication tool.

However, parents should also remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep their class chat positive and helpful for everyone. We have asked parent members of the Smart Parenting Village about their pet peeves about their respective class chats to come up with the following simple guidelines.

Be respectful and courteous

Parents should always use polite language and maintain a respectful tone in their messages. They should avoid sarcasm, harsh criticism, or offensive language, as words can affect others. 

Stay on topic

Parents should keep discussions relevant to the group chat’s purpose–which is school-related activities and events. A different chat should be used for other topics or concerns.

Smart Parenting Village members share:

“Iyung nag-chikahan sa GC ng parents, pwede naman i-PM nila isa’t sa. Hirap mag-backread."

“Nag-bebenta ng kung ano-ano sa GC.”

“Iyung parent na inuupdate kami sa ganap sa kanila, like bumili ang anak niya ng laptop, and nag-send ng pic ng handaan sa house nila. Hindi naman relevant sa school, niyayabang lang.”

“Nakakaloka iyung, ‘kamusta araw ng anak ko?’ Yaya? Tanungin ang anak, hindi ang teacher.”

“Iyung akala yata ni parent na anak niya lang ang student ni teacher or yaya ni anak si teacher: ‘Ma’am, kumain na po si anak? Ma’am, nandyan na po ba sa room si anak kasi pinahatid ko lang po siya. Ma’am, paki sabi po kay anak na kay ganito sumabay kasi hindi ako makakasundo. Ma’am, may dala po kayang baon si anak kasi hindi po ako ang naghatid sa kanya. Ma’am, nakakasabay po ba sa lessons si anak?”

“Iyung nag-se-send ng picture ng sugat ng anak o apo nila na pwede naman i-DM nalang na hindi makakapasok.”

Use proper grammar and spelling

Parents should send clear and well-written messages that are easy for everyone to understand. They should avoid excessive use of abbreviations or slang that other group members might not understand.

One parent shared: “Iyung mga nag-te-text speak! ‘Aq phoe yung mami ni blah blah ajejejeje…” Buoin naman natin para hindi sumakit ang ulo ng lahat!”

Mind your timing

Parents should ensure to respect others’ schedules when sending messages or planning meetings. Try to avoid sending messages very early in the morning or late at night unless it’s urgent.

A parent shared: “Iyung parent na late night or sobrang aga mag-chat, o kaya ay weekend na magtatanong sa teacher. Ang matindi, kung nag-backread siya eh masasagot naman lahat ng tanong niya. Maging considerate sana sa teacher at ibang parents."

Avoid spamming or overloading the chat with messages

Parents should be mindful of the frequency and volume of messages they send and try to avoid spamming the group. Try to use the group chat primarily for important announcements and discussions, rather than casual conversations.

Several parents shared:

“Iyung both nanay and tatay nasa group chat, tapos madalas hanapin ni tatay si nanay. Tinatanong sa chat kung kasama ba namin asawa niya.”

“Iyung sabi ni teacher is mag-thumbs up react sa message niya to acknowledge. Pero puro ‘okay po, ma’am,’ ‘noted po,’ ‘sige po,’ ang sumunod after so natabunan na din the announcement.”

Use emojis and GIFs sparingly

Parents should minimize their use of unnecessary emojis or GIFs. While they can add a touch of personality to the messages. Excessive use can be distracting.

One parent shared that emoji use led to an unforgettable event in their group chat. “One of the mommies (Mommy 1) unintentionally hit the laugh emoji sa message ng isang parent (Mommy 2). Nagalit si Mommy 2, bakit daw walang respeto at ang bastos daw. Nag-brag na, kesyo businesswoman daw siya. Obvious naman na hindi sinadya ni Mommy 1 at baka bata ang may hawak ng phone or accidentally na napindo lang. Gabi na nabasa ni Mommy 1 iyung mga chat ni Mommy 2. Nag-explain si Mommy 1, pero napunta sa pangaralan ng anak ang response ni Mommy 2. Na-shookt ang lahat nang dahil sa emoji.”

Be inclusive

Parents should encourage open participation and make an effort to include everyone in the conversation. They should avoid exclusive language or inside jokes that others may not understand.

One parent shared, “Nag-chismisan na sina mommy. Like iyung isa nagtanong sa kakilalang parent na bakit hindi pumasok si ganito ganyan. Ayun, umabot na sa topic na si asawa ko kasi may babae ganito ganon. Nakakaloka!”

Respect privacy

Parents should not share personal or sensitive information about others without their consent. Be cautious about sharing photos or videos of other kids, and always get permission from their parents or guardians.

Resolve conflicts privately

Parents should ensure that some matters, such as disagreements with other parents, should be addressed privately and not air it in the group chat.

Several parents shared:

“Iyung may nagsisingilan ng utang sa GC ng section.”

“Iyung may issue sa monthly payment sa room – nagrereklamo iyung hindi laging present sa meeting. Eh para naman sa bata iyun. Nag-bardagulan na sila sa GC at natabunan na lahat ng important announcements.”

“Iyung mga nanay na palaging may issue sa mga anak nila – ‘Sinong nanay ni ganito ganyan, inaway iyung anak ko.’ Hindi nalang kausapin muna si teacher.”

Use admin and moderator tools and privileges wisely

If you are an admin, moderator, or the official class representative of the group, use your powers responsibly and fairly. Do not misuse your authority to silence or exclude others without a valid reason.

Several parents shared:

“Kinder pa lang ang anak ko. May isang parent sa amin na nag-announce sa GC na bawal na maghatid ng anak sa room starting today. Maraming parents ang nag-react dahil nasa 2nd floor ang classroom nila at pang-third school day palang nila if ever. Iyun pala, wala naman sinabi na ganon iyung teacher.”

“Iyung nauna pa ang parents na mag-announce na walang pasok dahil nasa balita na daw sa TV. Sabi ni teacher, wait lang namin iyung confirmation from admin.”

Stay informed

Parents should remember that even with the support of the group chats, it is their responsibility to keep up to date with important information shared in the group or in any other official school communication channels, and follow any guidelines or rules from the group and school’s administrators. At the same time, parents should ensure that they backread or that they are updated of the ongoing discussions in the group chat before asking their question.

Several parents shared:

“Some parents don’t know how to backread and keeps asking questions that can be answered already by either clicking the link of “frequently asked questions” or reviewing the group. I mean, we are all adults and spoon feeding is for the weak.”

“Iyung may announcement na si adviser na sa banner pero nagtatanong pa din. Also, from my experience, may parents na hindi alam ang schedule ng uwian ng anak hanggang patapos na ng school year. Palaging, ‘What time ba dismissal today, dear parents?’”

Remember that class GCs are meant solely to keep parents updated on school activities and announcements. So follow these simple tips to maintain a positive and constructive atmosphere for all involved.

Join the Smart Parenting Village and share your school-related stories with us!

*Submissions are edited for clarity.