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  • 1.  Parent Square and Other Options for Interparent Communication

    Posted 08-13-2023 14:02

    Hello!

    I have been tasked with evaluating Parent Square as a way for parents to communicate with each other and the teachers in an online forum.  Each class currently uses private Facebook groups, but both our leadership and parents want something that is a little less "Facebook," and setup and centered around our school community.

    Can anyone give me any feedback on how you use Parent Square or alternatives to it?

    Thanks!



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    Chris Krause Instructional Technology Coach/Director
    Makerspace Teacher and Technology Coach
    Benchmark School
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  • 2.  RE: Parent Square and Other Options for Interparent Communication

    Posted 08-14-2023 06:06

    We've been using ParentSquare for about 3 years now! We love it! We use it for district-wide communication with families! It also links with our SIS so that teachers' class rosters are imported. For example, I can post announcements to a specific class and can choose if I want it to go to parents, students, staff (co-teachers), or all 3! We also have the ability to "private message" parents to help continue parent-teacher communication. Students can also be included on these as necessary. 

    In ParentSquare, when you make a post, you can do conference sign ups, request items (e.g., donations for events), and sign permission slips. The only caution I have is that many high students deleted the app when school returned to "normal" after the COVID closures, and having them re-download it and turn on notifications has been an ongoing struggle. 



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    Sarah Robinson Teacher/Faculty (PK-12)
    Teacher
    Mount Markham Senior High School
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Parent Square and Other Options for Interparent Communication

    Posted 08-15-2023 08:32

    Hi! I've run two parent engagement platform selection processes (ParentSquare was the winner for both) and ParentSquare implementations one for 47 schools and one for 17 schools. The implementation was super smooth for both as it just needs hookup to your SIS and then some review of the data. They do an amazing job of keeping things simple and intentional on the interface, so it's not endless changes and trying to find settings etc. Support is not as fast or good as they used to be when they were smaller but still pretty responsive. But overall Parents and older kids love it and it makes comms and resource organization SO much easier. Highly rec. Let me know if you want a call to chat through anything else.



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    Christiana Gupta
    CEO
    Simplicity Education
    christiana@simplicityed.com
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Parent Square and Other Options for Interparent Communication

    Posted 08-15-2023 14:38

    ParentSquare also gets my vote! I have used it for a number of years at my school. It is easy to use. I love that you can embed images right into your posts....newsletters anyone?!? Lots of flexibility with utilizing groups. And there is a box to select if you want it to go to staff or parents. Also, we are able to push report cards out via ParentSquare at the touch of a button!

    Love that it is one-stop shopping....no need to download multiple apps for messaging, sign-ups, payments, etc. 



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    Michelle Pierce Teacher/Faculty (PK-12)
    Computer Science Teacher
    Mallard Creek STEM Academy
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Parent Square and Other Options for Interparent Communication

    Posted 08-15-2023 16:37

    We are doing our ParentSquare roll out right now! It has been a really neat program, and our staff and families are excited. We're especially impressed with the language translation features.



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    Phoebe Balentyne Instructional Technology Coach/Director
    Director of Instructional Technology
    Sycamore Community Unit School District 427
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    Original Message


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