MAKING THE MOST OF PARENTSQUARE AND PARENTVUE COMMUNICATIONS
Since its launch this summer, we have received feedback that our new communications platform, ParentSquare, is a bit overwhelming with multiple notifications coming in from various sources. There also may be some confusion about what comes through ParentSquare versus what comes through ParentVue.
Generally speaking, you should expect to receive information specific to your student through ParentVUE - grades, homework, attendance, etc. Information that’s applicable to multiple students - in a special group, classroom, school, or the district as a whole - will come through ParentSquare.
ParentSquare has the ability to send messages via text, push notification through the ParentSquare mobile app, email, and phone calls. The good news is that you can decide how and with what frequency you want to receive all non-urgent communications. By logging into ParentSquare.com and clicking on your name at the top right-hand side of the screen, you can manage your notification settings and narrow down to just one method if you like. You can also choose to receive just one daily digest of all messages, rather than receiving each of them individually. Please refer to this instruction sheet (español) for more details, and thank you for your patience and understanding as we work hard to keep you informed but not inundated!
Notification Settings
Options
In ParentSquare, parents/caregivers, staff, and students in grades 9-12 have three options for how often they receive notifications from the platform:
-
Instant: Receive all messages instantly
-
Digest: Receive all messages together in one daily communication around 6 PM.*
-
Off: No notifications are sent.*
*Please note:
Regardless of your notification settings, you will continue to receive emergency notifications instantly. These notifications can be sent in the following ways: 1) A “Post” that is set to send immediately; 2) A Smart Alert or 3) An Urgent Alert. In addition, Direct Messages can still be received.
To completely opt-out of receiving text messages (including emergency notifications), text STOP to 66458.
Advice on Notification Settings and Alerts
If you feel you are receiving too many messages from ParentSquare, we advise you to log into your account and visit “Notification Settings,” then select “Digest.” Then, make sure “School Alerts” is selected as “On.”
By doing this, you will receive all notifications at about 6:00 PM with the exceptions of “School Alerts,” which are also called “Smart Alerts” and are intended for important information. The most severe emergency alerts are called “Urgent Alerts,” which cannot be disabled; you will receive Urgent Alerts regardless of your settings as these are intended to be used sparingly.
You also have the option to select “Off” in Notification Settings, but to keep “School Alerts” selected “On.”
Changing Settings vs. Opting Out of Texts
Digest or Off: If you do not want to receive all messages instantly, we encourage you to select the “Digest” or “Off” notifications in the “Notifications Settings” feature. This allows you to customize how often you receive messages alerts via text or app.
We encourage all parents and caregivers to download the ParentSquare app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store, and to register your accounts.
How to Change Your Notification Settings
Change Notification Settings on Mobile App
-
From Home, tap the Menu (triple bars) on the top left.
-
Select Account.
-
Select Notifications.
-
Use the toggle to turn on or odd notifications by email, text, and app.
-
Select Instant or Digest for email, text, or app.
Change Notification Settings on Web Browser
-
From Home, click your name in the top-right corner and select My Account.
-
Select Notification Settings on the left.
-
Choose your preferred Notification Settings for General Announcements & Messages (Off, Instant or Digest) and School Alerts (On or Off).
Multiple Phone or Email Accounts Listed
If you have multiple phones or emails listed in your account, you may set the order of your preferred contacts to receive notifications. Notifications will only be sent to one email and one phone on your account.