How to write a message to your child's teacher

Start a message to your child's teacher with your child's full name and class, keep to one topic, and end with what you need (nothing, a reply, or a meeting). Teachers get many messages a day, often read between lessons. A short, clear note with the name in the first line is the most polite thing you can send.

The three versions below are all for the most common message: your child will be absent. After them, there's a message to ask for a meeting.

The messages

Copy a message, then replace the parts in [square brackets] with your own details.

Formal

By email, for a new teacher, a head teacher, or a school that writes formally.

Subject: [Maya Lopez], Class [3B], absent today

Dear [Ms. Brown],

I'm writing to let you know that [Maya] will be absent today, [Tuesday 14 October]. She has a fever, and the doctor has advised her to rest for a day or two.

Could you let me know if there is any work she should do at home?

Kind regards,
[Your name], [Maya]'s mother

Neutral

In the school app or by email, for a teacher you've already met.

Hi [Ms. Brown], [Maya Lopez] from [3B] won't be in school today. She has a cold and is staying home to rest. I hope she'll be back tomorrow. Thank you!

Casual

For a teacher who writes to parents informally, about a short absence.

Hi [Ms. Brown], just a quick note: [Maya] has a dentist appointment, so I'll pick her up at [11:30] today. Thanks!

Why this works

• The child's name is first, with the class. Teachers might have 30 children or 300. The full name and class mean they don't have to work out who you are.
• The reason is short. "A fever", "a cold" or "a dentist appointment" is enough. Schools usually just need to know if the absence is for illness or something else.
• The question is clear. "Is there any work she should do at home?" gets a useful answer. Long messages with several topics often get a reply to only one.
• The sign-off says who you are. "Maya's mother" or "Maya's dad" helps, especially if your last name is different from your child's.

How to address the teacher

In the US, UK, Canada and Australia, parents usually call teachers by title and last name: Ms. Brown, Mr. Ahmed, Mrs. Lee. "Ms." is the safe choice for a woman if you don't know which one she uses.

• Use the title the school uses. If the newsletter says "Mrs. Lee", write "Mrs. Lee".
• In the UK, children often say "Miss" or "Sir" to a teacher. Parents usually don't; write "Ms. Brown" or "Mr. Ahmed".
• Use a first name only if the teacher signs with it, or tells you to.
• Don't write "Teacher Anna" or "Dear Teacher". It's common in some countries, but in English-speaking schools it sounds unusual.

Asking for a meeting

For a concern, write a short message and save the details for the meeting:

Dear [Mr. Ahmed], I'm [Leo Silva]'s father, from Class [5A]. Leo has seemed worried about his maths homework lately, and I'd like to understand how he's doing in class. Would you have 15 minutes for a short meeting or a call next week? I'm free most days after 3:30.

Common mistakes

"My son will not assist to class today." Assist means help in English. Spanish asistir a and Portuguese assistir a (to attend) are false friends. For school, the natural phrase is won't be in school.

• ✗ My son will not assist to class today.
• ✓ My son won't be in school today.

"He has fever since yesterday." Two fixes: English says a fever, and since needs the present perfect.

• ✗ He has fever since yesterday.
• ✓ He's had a fever since yesterday.

"Teacher, I write to inform you…" As a greeting, "Teacher" sounds unusual in English, and "I write to inform you" sounds like a legal letter.

• ✗ Teacher, I write to inform you that Maya is sick.
• ✓ Hi Ms. Brown, I just wanted to let you know that Maya is sick today.

For more help with formal emails, see how to write a formal email. If you need a doctor's appointment for your child, see booking a doctor's appointment.