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  • 1.  Best Practices for addressing parents and families

    Posted 08-19-2025 01:40 PM

    Hi John et al:

    I am interested to know what the current thinking is on the most appropriate way to address the parents and families of students (i.e. Dear NAME) in snail mailings.  Is it safest to address them generically (i.e. To the Family of STUDENT NAME ... ) and if so, any pitfalls to that approach.

    In the past, we have had some parents push back when their spouse/partner was addressed by name at their address.  Having parent name and address is often only part of the picture - understanding the relationships involved is more complex and often unclear.

    Any feedback is appreciated.  Thank you.



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    Christopher Roch Kelly
    Pace University
    rkelly@pace.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Best Practices for addressing parents and families

    Posted 08-19-2025 02:58 PM
    I always use the parent(s) actual name as a default. If a parent pushes back, then I will change their preferred name - but only when requested.

    FWIW, I also prefer stacking names when writing to both parents in the same mailing.

    John

    John H. Taylor, Principal
    John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC
    2604 Sevier Street
    Durham, NC     27705

    919.816.5903 (cell/text)

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