Counseld › Resources › First-year guide › Conversation starters
2Stage 2: Build
Conversation starters for teachers, parents and principals
A student does best when the adults around them work as a team. Teachers, parents and your principal each see a different part of the child’s day. Use these starters to build that partnership.
From practice Say them in your own words.
A teacher refers a student
TI’m worried about a student in my class.
YouThank you for noticing. What have you seen, what have you tried, and how long has it been happening?
A teacher asks what a student said
TWhat did they tell you in the session?
YouI keep what students share private, except for safety. I can share ideas that may help in class.
Your first call to parents
PHello? Is everything okay?
YouI’m calling because I’d like to support [name] at school, and to hear what you are seeing at home. This is not a complaint.
A parent says “just fix them”
PJust fix them.
YouI want to help. Change comes from working together, so I’ll need your help too. Can we agree on one thing to try this week?
Following up with a teacher
YouI’ve been meeting [name] for a few weeks. What have you noticed in class? Is it steady across the week?
TShe’s settling in, but still quiet in group work.
Your principal asks for an update
PrHow is [name] doing? The parents have been asking me.
You[Name] is attending regularly and we’re working on [broad area]. I keep the details private, but here is how the school can help.
Counseld Starter Toolkit · Not a substitute for supervision or school policy.
Get the printable guide
All 13 pages as a print-ready PDF, with the checklist, self-check and year-end review to fill in. Free.