Educator's Lifetime Encyclopedia of Letters

P. Susan Mamchak has held a variety of positions in education, from classroom teacher to school disciplinarian. Steven R. Mamchak is a veteran of 35 years in the public schools and the recipient of a Governor's Award for Excellence in Education.

• About this resource. SECTION ONE.Writing effective recommendations.Examining the structure of the written recommendations.Model recommendations and references.Positive recommendation to a private school, I.Positive recommendation to a private school, II.Negative recommendation to a private school, I.Negative recommendation to a private school, II.Positive recommendation to a college or university, I.Positive recommendation to a college or university, II.Negative recommendation to a college or university, I.Negative recommendation to a college or university, II.Negative recommendation to a college or university, III.Positive recommendation for an award.Negative recommendation for an award.Positive recommendation to a special academic program.Negative recommendation to a special academic program, I.Negative recommendation to a special academic program, II.Positive recommendation to a community program.Negative recommendation to a community program.Positive recommendation for a job outside school.Negative recommendation for a job outside school.Recommendation of a college.Recommendation of a teacher.SECTION TWO.Letter that deal with illness and death.Understanding the basic letter of sympathy.Model letters of sympathy and understanding.Nonserious illness of a student.Nonserious illness of a teacher.Nonserious illness of an administrator.Serious illness of a student.Serious illness of a student's parent.Serious illness of a teacher.Serious illness of an administrator.Terminal illness of a student, I.Terminal illness of a student, II.Terminal illness of a student's parent.Terminal illness of a teacher, I.Terminal illness of a teacher, II.Terminal illness of an administrator.Death of a student, I.Death of a student, II.Death of a student's parent.Death of a teacher, I.Death of a teacher, II.Death of an administrator, I.Death of an administrator, II.Death of a community leader.Death of a school board official.SECTION THREE.Letters that effectively deal with student behavior.Examining student behavior and the home-school connection.Model letters that deal with student behavior.Teacher note on good student behavior.Teacher note on poor student behavior, I.Teacher note on poor student behavior, II.Letter on serious classroom infraction, I.Letter on serious classroom infraction, II.Letter on serious school infraction, I.Letter on serious school infraction, II.Letter complimenting outstanding behavior.Letter on infraction involving police, I.Letter on infraction involving police, II.Letter on behavior warning of serious consequences, I.Letter on behavior warning of serious consequences, II.Letter of suspension, I.Letter of suspension, II.Letter of suspension, III.Letter of suspension, IV.Letter of suspension to alternative school program.Open letter to parents on suspension policy.Open letter to students on behavior and suspension.Statement of rights in expulsion procedures.Letter of expulsion.SECTION FOUR.Complete guide to writing meaningful evaluations.Taking the sting out of written evaluations.Model evaluations for a variety of school occasions.Informal evaluation of student progress.Formal evaluation of student progress, I.Formal evaluation of student progress, II.Positive evaluation of a teacher.Negative evaluation of a teacher.Positive evaluation of an administrator.Negative evaluation of an administrator.Special evaluation of a school employee.Positive evaluation of a school employee.Negative evaluation of school employee.Positive evaluation of special school event.Negative evaluation of special school event.Positive evaluation of a school program.Negative evaluation of a school program, I.Negative evaluation of a school program, II.Positive evaluation of text or learning material.Negative evaluation of text or learning material.Positive evaluation of a curriculum.Negative evaluation of a curriculum, I.Negative evaluation of a curriculum, II.Negative evaluation of a school or school system.Positive evaluation of a school or school system.SECTION FIVE.Writing for the community.Blueprint for positive school-community relations.Model letters for the community.Letter supporting proposed community legislation.Letter opposing proposed community legislation.Letter supporting a city/township decision.Letter opposing a city/township decision.Letter requesting a community action.Letter granting access to the school.Letter denying access to the school.Answering a positive letter from the community.Answering a negative letter from the community.Answering a negative letter concerning school personnel, I.Answering a negative letter concerning school personnel, II.Answering a negative letter concerning a school decision, I.Answering a negative letter concerning a school decision, II.Answering a negative letter concerning yourself.Turning down an invitation from the community, I.Turning down an invitation from the community, II.Replying to a community action group, I.Replying to a community action group, II.Replying to a community protest group, I.Replying to a community protest group, II.SECTION SIX.Efficiently handling letters of complaint.Getting results with letters of complaint.Model letters that handle complaints.Complaining about a textbook.Complaining about wrong school supplies.Complaining about insufficient school supplies.Complaining about poor quality of materials.Complaining about defective materials.Complaining about delayed delivery.Complaining about insufficient response.Complaining about a contracted service.Complaining about a scheduling conflict.Complaining about a physical condition.Complaining about a dangerous physical condition.Complaining about a developing situation.Complaining about a potentially dangerous situation.Complaining about a school board decision.Answering a complaint about the school.Answering a complaint about a teacher.Answering a complaint about an administrator.Answering a complaint from the faculty.Answering a complaint from the staff.Answering a minor complaint from a parent.Answering a serious complaint from a parent.Answering a complaint from a student.Answering a complaint about a classroom.Answering a complaint about a class.SECTION SEVEN.A guide to letters dealing with the media.Appreciating the power of the media.Model letters involving the media.Informing the media of an impending media event, I.Informing the media of an impending media event, II.Letter requesting media coverage of a school event, I.Letter requesting media coverage of a school event, II.Letter responding to a positive newspaper article.Letter responding to a negative newspaper article, I.Letter responding to a negative newspaper article, II.Letter responding to a positive newspaper editorial.Letter responding to a negative newspaper editorial.Letter to staff about a negative newspaper editorial.Sample editorial for a community newsletter.Responding to a negative community flier.Responding to a negative community advertisement.Establishing rules for media on campus.Letter detailing guidelines for media contact.Letter detailing guidelines for news releases.Letter suggesting guidelines for newsworthiness.Requesting TV time for a school event.Requesting assistance for an impending media event.SECTION EIGHT.Letters that relate to your job.The delicate matter of job-related letters.Model letter of job-related letters.Letter announcing your availability for a position.Letter expressing interest in a position.Letter requesting an application.Personal statement on application.Letter of acceptance of position.Request for transfer (nonspecific reason).Request for transfer (specific reason).Request for transfer to a specific school.Request for transfer to a specific job.Request for transfer (difficult reason).Letter concerning positive job evaluation of employee.Letter concerning negative job evaluation of employee.Acceptance of positive job evaluation.Rebuttal of negative job evaluation.Letter of resignation for health reasons.Letter of resignation for "personal" reasons.Letter of resignation for better position.Letter on the resignation of an employee.Letter of retirement.Letter on retirement of employee.SECTION NINE.Writing effective letters of thanks and appreciation.Examining the elements of thankfulness.Model letters of appreciation and thanks.Appreciation for offering a prize or award.Appreciation for a prize or award given.Appreciation for a prize or award given to a faculty member.Appreciation for a prize or award given to a student.Appreciation for a prize or award given to a school athletic group.Appreciation for a prize or award given to a school performing group.Appreciation for a prize or award given to the school.Appreciation for a prize or award for academic achievement.Appreciation for a personal award.Appreciation for a specific act of generosity.Appreciation for a contribution to the school.Appreciation for an individual act of kindness.Appreciation for an individual act of helpfulness.Appreciation for outstanding leadership.Appreciation for a job well done.Appreciation for an outstanding assembly program.Thanks for a personal gift.Thanks for a personal gift to the school.Thanks for visiting the school.Thanks to a colleague.Thanks to an administrative superior.Thanks to a school board member.Thanks for a positive job evaluation.Thanks for supporting the school.Thanks for personal support.Thanks for friendship.Thanks for understanding.Thanks for effective handling of situation.Thanks to volunteer workers.Thanks to staff workers.Thanks to the facultySECTION TEN.Writing special letters for everyday events.Writing with a "special" mindset.Model letters that deal with the day-to-day.Letter confirming a special telephone contact.Letter confirming angry telephone contact.Quick written confirmation of telephone contact.Letter explaining misunderstood telephone contact.Apology for a missed appointment, I.Apology for a missed appointment, II.Apology for a minor misunderstanding.Apology for a substantial misunderstanding.Apology for a personal mistake or error.Apology for a school mistake or error.Apology for inconveniencing a person or group.Apology for an oversight.Apology for damage caused by students.Apology for something long overdue.Apology for a perceived wrong.Returning a gift or award, I.Returning a gift or award, II.Returning signed report card.Returning faculty school equipment.Returning a lost or stolen article, I.Returning a lost or stolen article, II.Reporting on student accident or injury, I.Reporting on student accident or injury, II.Accepting on behalf of another.Accepting responsibility as a leader.Accepting responsibility for the curriculum.Accepting responsibility for a failed program, I.Accepting responsibility for a failed program, II.Letter of record concerning an "incident", I.Letter of record concerning an "incident", II.Letter on anonymous accusers.Special invitation to a school event.Special letter requesting parental involvement.Letter of farewell.