Our school has a mobile app in conjunction with the school (it raises money for our school too). The PTC manages the app and sends out notifications, but it includes everything about the school too.
When we have the assembly for incoming students, we give them the information to download the app to connect with the school. Then they are signed up to get our messages, calls for volunteers and participation, etc.
We also have a fun and informal breakfast or lunch for incoming students, for the students to meet and parents to mingle. PTC presence is key and we let the new parents know how they can be involved.
We also have our app info on our website, all print materials, and on our very active facebook page.
All of this together gets information to parents and welcomes them to or school. We post calls for help and that keep a good group of parents wanting to be involved.
Our elementary school is grades 2-5. I feel like our we lose parent involovement because by 2nd grade becoming involved is old news and people therefore tend to not volunteer or get involved in the PTO.
I want to start a Welcoming Committee for 2 groups of parents:
1) incoming 2nd grade families
2) new families who start after the school year has started.