How to use these templates

Copy each letter into your school letterhead. Fill in the blanks. Keep the language plain. Offer translation if families need it.

Letter 1: Screening notice

Send before screening starts. In Ontario, PPM 168 requires principals to share this information before or within the first week of class.

Dear ________,

This year, our school will do a short reading screen with your child.

A screen is a quick check of early reading skills. It takes about ________ minutes.

It helps us see which students may need extra help. It is not a test of intelligence. It is not a diagnosis.

Your child's teacher will give the screen in class. We will share the results with you by ________.

If you have questions, please contact ________ at ________.

Thank you,

Principal, ________

Letter 2: Screening results

Dear ________,

Thank you for your support with this year's reading screen. Here are your child's results.

Your child: ________ Date screened: ________ Result: ________ (on track / some risk / high risk)

What this means: ________

What we will do next:

• Continue regular classroom reading.
• Add small-group reading help, ________ times a week.
• Check progress again by ________.

What you can do at home:

• Read with your child for 10 minutes each day.
• Play sound games, like finding words that rhyme.
• Ask the teacher for decodable books that match the sounds your child has learned.

Screening does not diagnose dyslexia. Diagnosis is made by a licensed professional, usually a psychologist or psychological associate. In Quebec, a speech-language pathologist (orthophoniste) can also diagnose. Rules differ by province.

Please contact ________ at ________ with any questions.

Sincerely,

Letter 3: Meeting invitation

Dear ________,

We would like to meet with you to talk about your child's reading.

We want to share what we are seeing in class. We also want to hear what you see at home. Together, we can plan the next steps.

Date: ________ Time: ________ Place or video link: ________ Who will attend: ________

Please bring any questions you have. You are welcome to bring a support person.

If this time does not work, please call ________ to choose another time.

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Tips for meetings

• Start with your child's strengths.
• Share one or two clear examples.
• Avoid jargon and acronyms.
• Agree on one next step for school and one for home.
• Send a short written summary within two days.