Homework (ahhh, yeah)!

Today's topic is about homework! However, there's a little twist with this assignment. My students (must to their dismay...at first) receive homework on the very first day of school. This helps to set the tone for the class and lets them know my expectations regarding homework upfront. They quickly learn this assignment is mostly for them to learn how to be responsible.
One the first day of school, I miss up some fun activities with all the "paper work" that has to be done. They get to know things about  me on the first day and then we spend the rest of the week with different activities daily so that the students get to know each other. I conclude the first day by giving my students an assignment called One Million Words or Less. They write this in their agenda and we go through the process of stamping my signature (had 2 personal signature stamps made at Staples two years ago...BEST purchases ever)! After this, I pass out the assignment and then there's a collect sigh of relief when they realize they don't actually have to do any "work."
One Million Words or Less is an assignment for parents to share with me about their child. In a million words or less, they are to tell me whatever it might be that they want me to know. I don't know where I got this idea from, but it has been on of the BEST ways for me to learn about my kids and establish parent to teacher communication. I've learned about illnesses, surgeries, adoptions, summer vacations, siblings and the list could go on forever. In many cases, it helps explain that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Parents have a week to complete the assignment (I do allow e-mails and phone calls). FYI: All the information I gather is confidential. Permission is asked of the parent before anything is said to others.

I do write a little more in my letter to parents, but here's the prompt to get you started if you so choose to use it. Enjoy! :)
How do you get to know your students and establish parent communication?