High School Department Chair Newsletter: How to Communicate with Families

Department chairs sit at an important communication crossroads. They know more about the curriculum arc, the course sequence rationale, and the department's academic priorities than most individual teachers do. They also rarely communicate directly with families. A two or three times per year department newsletter captures the value of that expertise and delivers it to the families who need it.

The Course Sequence Newsletter

The most valuable newsletter a department chair can send is one that explains the department's course sequence clearly. Families making decisions about which courses to enroll their student in for the following year often do not understand the sequence. Should their student take Algebra 2 before Pre-Calculus? Is Honors Chemistry a prerequisite for AP Chemistry? What happens if a student wants to change math tracks in junior year?

A clear course sequence diagram or description with brief rationale for each step answers all of these questions at once. Send this in January or February when course selection is underway.

Curriculum Changes Communication

When a department makes a significant curriculum change, such as adopting a new textbook, changing the AP course offerings, or redesigning the course sequence, a newsletter to affected families is appropriate. Families who hear about curriculum changes from their student or through social media before they hear from the school sometimes develop concerns that a proactive communication would have prevented.

Standardized Test Connection

Department chairs should communicate the connection between department courses and standardized testing that matters for college. The math department chair should explain how the course sequence prepares students for the SAT math section and for AP Calculus. The English department chair should describe how writing instruction connects to AP English Language and the college essay. This connection is often assumed but rarely explained explicitly to families.

Summer Preparation Recommendations

A brief end-of-year newsletter from department chairs with summer preparation suggestions is worth sending. For students entering challenging courses in the fall, specific recommendations (a reading list for English, a skills review guide for math, vocabulary suggestions for world languages) give motivated families a structured way to help their student prepare.

Keep the recommendations realistic. Three books on a summer reading list will be read. A 10-book list will be ignored. One math review workbook recommendation with a specific chapter focus is actionable. A vague recommendation to "keep up with math over the summer" is not.