how does everyone deal with parents in the classroom?

I am always getting requests for updates and find that they aren't utilizing my school's tools! We have one of these Shutterfly Classroom Websites: http://www.shutterfly.com/share-photos/classroom-websites.jsp?escFlag=1

And I upload pictures, and videos, and a class schedule and calander and all that, but less than half of them ever visit!

It was cute though, at the end of last semester a few of the Moms got together and made me one of their Photobooks from the website. It's nice to know they'll look at what Shutterfly has to sell but not at our class site!

Does anyone else use a similar resource? What tools are you using in the classroom to keep parents involved?

It would depend on your school's policy, but I was able to create a Facebook Account.  I kept it as my professional account, completely separate from my personal account.  I used the highest security settings on it and had the parents sign a permission slip in the beginning of the year to let me know if I could post photos of their kids.  

I find that lots of parents are on Facebook, even during the work day.  It gave me the opportunity to send out quick reminders:  "Remember: Picture Day is tomorrow!" and funny things the kids would say.  I had MANY parents compliment me on it.  They said it made their entire day knowing what was going on in the classroom as well as silly things that were being said.  And, of course, I added photos whenever I could.  

They're already on Facebook so it's easily accessible.  If Facebook isn't an option - is there another social media site that you can tap into?  Something parents are already a part of?  Maybe send out a parent survey and see what they suggest!