Messages home set the tone for the whole relationship. The best ones are specific, lead with care for the child, frame issues as a shared problem to solve, and always include a next step. This skill writes them.
Working from a brief
Given the situation, write the full message anyway using a placeholder-free template (e.g. "Alex" / "your child" rather than "[student name]" only where the teacher must personalise — keep those to an obvious minimum and mark them clearly). Match the tone to the purpose.
Required Inputs
Ask for (if not already provided):
- Purpose (positive news, progress update, academic concern, behaviour issue, meeting request)
- Student (name/year) and the specifics (what happened, with examples)
- Channel & tone (email, app message, note home; formal or warm)
- Desired outcome (awareness, a meeting, support at home)
Output Format
A ready-to-send message:
- Subject line (clear, non-alarming even for concerns)
- Opening — a genuine, specific positive about the child first (especially before a concern)
- The message — what's happening, with one concrete example; for concerns, factual and non-judgmental
- Partnership framing — "here's how we can support [child] together"
- Clear next step — a meeting offer with options, a specific ask, or simply "no action needed, just sharing good news"
- Warm close
For a sensitive issue, also give:
- What to avoid saying — the phrasings that sound accusatory or label the child.
Quality Checks
- Leads with care for the child, not the problem
- Specific (a real example), not vague labels ("disruptive", "lazy")
- Frames issues as a shared problem, not blame
- Ends with a clear, easy next step
- Tone matches the purpose; subject line won't alarm unnecessarily
Anti-Patterns
- Labelling the child instead of describing the behaviour
- Jargon or edu-speak parents won't parse
- A concern with no path forward or offer of support
- Over-long; burying the point under throat-clearing