Gmail in my classroom

Since I do not have a traditional classroom anymore (I stay home with my kids and do in-home childcare), the way that I can use gmail in my classroom is by communicating with the parents of the children in my care, and creating different groups for the different contacts I have.  I also can use gmail to stay in touch with former co-teachers in order to keep myself current and up-to-date on happenings in the school district.