CS Journeys
Letters home

Did you know students who hear from parents that they would be good at computer science are 2-3 times more likely to be interested in learning it? Connect with parents and recruit their help in encouraging students to learn and continue on their computer science journey.

Here’s some template language you can include in your emails and letters home.

CS Fundamentals Teachers

Suggested beginning-of-year message to send home

This year in class your student will be learning about computer science! Elementary school is a great time for students to learn the basics and start exploring this essential subject.

Why are we learning computer science? CS teaches students critical thinking and problem solving. In fact, studies show that students who learn computer science perform better in reading, science, and math.

In these lessons, your child will collaborate with others, investigate different problem-solving techniques, and learn to persist in the face of challenging tasks. You can take a look at some of our lessons here.

[Teachers: optionally, you could share a link to a student project, like a Dance Party Creation or a link to the projects gallery to give parents a glimpse of what your students might be creating]

Outside of the class, you might explore career inspiration and exploration resources to help your child make connections beyond the classroom. Students are more likely to connect with material when given opportunities to see how it's used in the real world. Spark their imagination and help them envision where CS could lead them.


Suggested end-of-year message to send home

This year, the students were excited to learn about computer science. Elementary school is a great time for students to start getting exposed to this subject essential for them to learn in today’s world.

Computer science teaches students critical thinking and problem solving. In fact, studies show that students who learn computer science do better in other subjects.

Parent/guardian encouragement is critical to student success and interest in learning. So ask your child what they learned and created in our computer science lessons.

[Teachers: optionally, you could share a link to a student project—like a Dance Party Creation—or a link to a login]

Take some time this summer to check out resources for learning CS at home. Watch some videos to spark their imagination or do some of the activities on the page to learn together. Encourage them to keep learning, and have fun while you’re at it!

CS Discoveries Teachers

Suggested beginning-of-year message to send home

This year, your students will be taking Computer Science Discoveries! Computer science teaches critical thinking and problem solving, and improves student performance across subjects. In fact, studies show that students who learn CS are more likely to go to college.

In this class, learners will look at computer science with a wide lens. We’ll cover problem solving, programming, physical computing, user-centered design, and AI/machine learning, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, and games. You can take a look at some of our lessons here.

Parent/guardian encouragement is critical to student success and interest in learning and success. So ask your child to see something they created in class. Or ask them what makes a computer a computer?

[Teachers: optionally, you could share a link to a student project or a link to the projects gallery to give parents a glimpse of what your students might be creating]

Outside of the class, you might explore our career exploration hub to help your child make connections beyond the classroom. Students are more likely to connect with material when given opportunities to see how it's used in the real world. Spark their imagination and help them envision where CS could lead them.


Suggested end-of-year message to send home

It’s been a pleasure to see your students engage with computer science this year. They’ve learned about programming and how computers work, and they’ve also been inspired to build their own websites, apps, animations, and games!

Computer science teaches students critical thinking and problem solving. In fact, studies show that students who learn computer science do better in other subjects, excel at problem solving, and are more likely to go to college.

Parent/guardian encouragement is critical to student success and interest in learning and success. So ask your child to see something they created in class. Or ask them what makes a computer a computer?

[Teachers: optionally, you could share a link to a student project or a link to a login]

Take some time this summer to check out resources for learning CS at home. There are videos to spark your child’s imagination and activities to keep learning. You can even learn together, and have fun doing it!

For students who are curious about where their CS journey could lead them, there are additional resources to explore pathways and careers.

CS Principles Teachers

Suggested beginning-of-year to send home

This year, your students will be taking Computer Science Principles, and hopefully developing a love of computer science! Computer science teaches critical thinking and problem solving, and improves student performance across subjects. In fact, studies show that students who learn CS are more likely to go to college.

In this class, students will learn the foundational concepts of computer science and explore how computing and technology can impact the world. We’ll cover algorithms, program design, networks, and more, while inspiring students as they build their own series of real working, shareable apps with App Lab. You can take a look at some of our lessons here.

[Teachers: optionally, you could share a link to a student project or a link to the projects gallery to give parents a glimpse of what your students might be creating]

You may also encourage your child to explore the resources to help them make connections beyond the classroom. Students are more likely to connect with material when given opportunities to see how it's used in the real world. Spark their imagination and help them explore the vast possibilities of a future with CS.


Suggested end-of-year to send home

It’s been a pleasure to see your students engage with computer science this year. They’ve learned foundational concepts of computer science and programming skills, and they’ve explored how computing and technology can impact the world they live in.

Computer science teaches students critical thinking and problem solving. In fact, studies show that students who learn computer science do better in other subjects, excel at problem solving, and are more likely to go to college.

Parent/guardian encouragement is critical to student success and interest in learning and success. So ask your student to see something they created in class.

[Teachers: optionally, you could share a link to a student project or a link to a login]

And take some time with them this summer to check out resources to continue learning CS at home. There are videos to spark your child’s imagination and activities to keep learning.

For students ready to consider the next part of their CS journey, encourage them to check out scholarship, internship, and mentorship opportunities from these additional resources to explore pathways and careers.