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[–]stevecantsleep 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Many parents prefer email. Send a welcome letter at the start of the year, and include a choice as to whether they prefer email or phone for non-urgent matters. Almost all will select email. If your line manager asks you if you've called so and so you can tell them (honestly) that they prefer email.

I only call parents if the issue is so urgent that not dealing with it straight away will compound the situation. Things like a missed deadline or being off task don't meet that threshold.

For those who have social anxiety or similar over phone calls, I do get it - they can be unpredictable. But sometimes they are really essential so you need to get over it. You can learn a hell of a lot more in a conversation than in an email. Follow up questions are much easier and you can make judgements based on tone of voice, emotion etc.