Gmail in the classroom

I plan on using Gmail in the classroom with the junior class various ways - emailing the kids in a group as well as parents in a group for prom and after prom fundraising information is one example (meetings, fundraisers, etc.)  This is also a great way to communicate with our after school program and create a group for those that are involved with that - the staff as a group, as well as parents of the kids as another.  One other way I will use this is in our tour abroad program - another group that I will create - to help with communication to parents and kids about fundraisers, FAQ's on what to pack for our trips, checklists of what needs to happen before departure, etc.