A Classroom Newsletter Template That Puts the Action Item First
Copy a plain-text classroom newsletter, then see one filled in.
Put the date and the one thing families must do first. Then share what the class learned, what's coming up, reminders, and a way to reach you. Keep the whole note to one page.
At Chalkbox, we build free classroom tools and guides for K-12 teachers. Our classroom newsletter template is plain text you can paste anywhere.
A classroom newsletter is a short, regular note from the teacher to families. It shares what the class is learning and what families need to know or do.
What Goes in a Classroom Newsletter
A classroom newsletter holds eight sections, and the suggested order below puts the parts families need first at the top. Use this order every week:
- Header. Class name, your name, and the date or week.
- Action box. The one thing families must do or send this week, with a due date.
- What we learned. Two to four lines per subject.
- Coming up. Dates for tests, trips, events, holidays, and no-school days.
- Reminders. Routines such as homework, library day, and physical education (PE) shoes.
- Ways families can help. One short, specific request.
- Celebrations. Class wins or milestones, with no individual student names unless your school allows it.
- Contact line. How and when to reach you.
The action box sits second, right under the header.
Keep the same eight sections in the same order every week.
Copy-Ready Classroom Newsletter Template
The template below is plain text with bracketed blanks, one line per section, in the same order as the list above. Copy it, replace each bracket with this week's details, and delete the brackets.
[Class name] News: Week of [date]
Please do this week: [action] by [date]
This week we learned:
- Reading: [ ]
- Math: [ ]
- Science or Social Studies: [ ]
Coming up:
- [date]: [event]
- [date]: [event]
Reminders: [ ]
How you can help: [ ]
Celebrations: [ ]
Questions? Reach me at [contact method]. I reply within [your reply time].
Four habits help when you fill the blanks:
- Start the action with a verb, such as return or send.
- Bold every date. That includes the due date in the action box and each date under Coming up.
- Write two to four lines per subject. Name the topic the class worked on in each one.
- Set a reply time you can keep. The filled example below uses one school day.
A Filled Classroom Newsletter Template Example
The newsletter below is an invented example for a grade 3 class, written to show the template with every blank filled. Room 12 is made up.
Room 12 News
Please do this week: Return the field trip form by Friday.
This week we learned:
- Reading: finding the main idea
- Math: multiplying by 5 and 10
- Science: how plants take in water
Coming up:
- Tuesday: library day
- Friday: field trip form due
- Monday: no school
Reminders: Bring a water bottle. Reading logs are due Fridays.
How you can help: Send in two clean shoeboxes for next week's project.
Celebrations: The whole class finished the reading challenge.
Questions? Email me. I reply within one school day.
Three things the example shows:
- The no-school day is listed. Monday off sits with the other dates.
- The request is specific. It names the item, the number (two), and the project they are for.
- The celebration names no one. The whole class finished the reading challenge, so no student is singled out.
How Often to Send a Weekly Classroom Newsletter
Send a classroom newsletter weekly or monthly, at a rhythm you can keep. Weekly is common for younger grades. Monthly is common for older grades, with a short weekly reminder between issues.
Whichever rhythm you choose, send it on the same day each week so families know when to look.
| Weekly newsletter | Monthly newsletter with weekly reminder | |
|---|---|---|
| Common for | Younger grades | Older grades |
| What goes out each week | The full newsletter | A short reminder |
| Send day | Same day every week | Same day every week for the reminder |
| Pick it if | You can fill all eight sections every week | A full note every week is more than you can keep up |
If a weekly note keeps slipping, move to monthly with a short weekly reminder instead of skipping weeks. Sending too rarely to be useful is one of the common newsletter mistakes.
Keep a Parent Newsletter to One Page
Aim for a parent newsletter of one page or one screen. Use short lines and bullet points, and put every date in bold. Use plain words, and skip jargon or abbreviations families may not know.
Write in your own voice. The template sets the order, and the words on each line can sound like you.
Student Names, Photos, and Privacy
Your school's rules decide whether student names and photos can go in a newsletter, so follow those rules. Name an individual student only if your school allows it.
Leave out grades, behavior notes, and any private information about a student.
Send private matters to a family in a private message.
Reaching Every Family
To reach every family, plan for language and format before you send. If families speak other languages at home, ask your school about translation support. Keep the action box short so it is easy to translate.
Offer a paper copy to families who prefer it.
Common Classroom Newsletter Mistakes
Six common mistakes show up in classroom newsletters, and each one has a direct fix:
- The action item is buried at the bottom. Move it to the line right under the header, with its due date.
- The note is too many paragraphs. Cut it to short lines and bullet points that fit one page or one screen.
- There are no dates. Add a bold date to every test, trip, event, holiday, and no-school day.
- The format changes every week. Keep the same eight sections in the same order.
- Individual students are named. Celebrate class wins instead, and follow your school's rules on names.
- It goes out too rarely to be useful. Pick weekly, or monthly with a short weekly reminder, and send on the same day.
Related Chalkbox Resources for Newsletters
The Classroom Calendar gives you the year view of dates to pull into Coming up each week. The Lesson Plan Generator helps with the weekly "what we learned" lines.
For a schedule layout, see the Classroom Schedule Template. For other classroom routines, see Classroom Rules and Morning Meeting Ideas.
Bottom Line on Writing a Classroom Newsletter
Put the header first and the one action with its date second. Then add what the class learned, what is coming up, reminders, a help request, celebrations, and your contact line, all on one page. Copy the classroom newsletter template above, fill in this week's action and dates, and send your first issue on the day you plan to keep every week.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I put in a classroom newsletter?
Put the date and the one thing families must do first, then what the class learned, what is coming up, reminders, and a way to reach you. A full version has eight sections: header, action box, what we learned, coming up, reminders, ways families can help, celebrations, and a contact line. Keep the whole note to one page.
How often should I send a classroom newsletter?
Send it at a rhythm you can keep, usually weekly or monthly. Weekly is common for younger grades, and monthly is common for older grades with a short weekly reminder. Send it on the same day each week so families know when to look.
How long should a classroom newsletter be?
Aim for one page or one screen. Use short lines, bullet points, and bold dates, and write in plain words without jargon or abbreviations families may not know. Too many paragraphs is one of the common newsletter mistakes.
Can I put student names and photos in a newsletter?
It depends on your school's rules on student photos and names, so follow those rules. Where names are not allowed, celebrate whole-class wins and leave individual students out. Never include grades, behavior notes, or other private information about a student, and send private matters in a private message.
How do I make sure every family can read it?
Ask your school about translation support if families speak other languages at home, and keep the action box short so it is easy to translate. Offer a paper copy to families who prefer it. Use plain words with no jargon or abbreviations families may not know.