Trying to get someone from the school on the phone? Your first instinct is probably to call first thing in the morning, try to get the person you're pursuing before they're consumed by daily meetings and activities. That's a good plan -- but if all it's doing is getting you repeated conversations with secretary or an answering machine, try mixing up the times you dial in. Sometimes, you may be able to catch them late in the day, when the usual phone-call interceptors have gone home. When you're calling teachers, try to find out when they have their break time, as that's when you're most likely to get through. Or better yet -- find out if they're on e-mail.
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