If your school's home community is not sprinkled with home computers, you can explore other technology possibilities for starters. For instance, many cable operators are donating a channel for a kiosk on which school schedules and announcements are displayed (eg. Jones Cable at http://www.meu.edu). And, a few far-sighted owners (eg. TCI) are helping schools with equipment to broadcast programming for kids and families. Public libraries, too, are opening their doors for online access for families. AT&T and other telcos and online services are lowering their entrance fees and planning special initiatives to help link schools and homes. Even smaller local newspapers are reaching out to their community constituents.

Let your students design the welcome mat for their families and update it frequently.

And you can invite families to special online events, such as town meetings.