Skip To Main Content

ParentSquare Tutorial

ParentSquare Tutorial for Teachers

 

Getting Started

Initial Login and Setup

  • Access ParentSquare through your district's provided login portal or directly at your school's ParentSquare URL
  • Use your school email address to log in (this is typically different from any personal ParentSquare account you might have as a parent)
  • Download the mobile app for iOS or Android for convenient access on-the-go

First-Time Setup

  1. Complete your profile with professional photo and contact information
  2. Set your notification preferences (recommended: digest mode for posts, instant for direct messages)
  3. Configure office hours to control when you receive messages from families
  4. Review your class rosters - these sync automatically from your Student Information System (SIS)

Navigation Overview

Main Dashboard

  • Home Feed: View all posts and updates from your classes and school
  • Messages: Access direct messaging with families and staff
  • Classes: Manage your individual class communications
  • Groups: Create and manage special groups (clubs, sports teams, etc.)
  • Calendar: View and create events
  • Directory: Search for families and staff contacts

Left Sidebar Navigation

  • New Post: Create posts for classes or groups
  • Messaging: Send direct messages
  • Classes: Access individual class pages
  • Groups: Manage special interest groups
  • Calendar: Add events and view schedules
  • Add-Ons: Access features like conference sign-ups

Creating and Sending Posts

Types of Posts

  1. Regular Posts: General updates, announcements, and information
  2. Photo/Video Posts: Share classroom activities and student work
  3. Document Posts: Distribute handouts, forms, and resources
  4. Event Posts: Announce field trips, class parties, or special activities

Creating a Post

  1. Click "New Post" from the left sidebar or dashboard
  2. Select your audience: Choose specific classes, groups, or grade levels
  3. Write your message: Keep it clear and concise
  4. Add media or documents if needed
  5. Choose delivery options:
    • Post immediately
    • Schedule for later
    • Send as urgent alert (use sparingly)

Post Enhancement Features

  • Add polls to gather parent input
  • Include RSVP options for events
  • Request volunteers or supplies (see dedicated section below)
  • Enable comments to encourage engagement
  • Add translations for multilingual families

Post Best Practices

  • Use clear, engaging subject lines
  • Include relevant photos when possible
  • Keep posts focused on one main topic
  • Use the scheduling feature for consistent communication
  • Tag posts appropriately for easy searching

Direct Messaging

Types of Messaging

  1. Individual Messages: One-on-one communication with a parent/guardian
  2. Group Messages: Message multiple families at once
  3. Class Messages: Quick notes to entire class without creating a post

Sending Direct Messages

  1. Click "Messaging" from the sidebar
  2. Start typing recipient names in the "To" field
  3. Choose message type:
    • Private messages: Creates separate threads with each recipient
    • Group conversation: Creates one thread where all can see replies
  4. Compose your message
  5. Add attachments if needed (documents, photos, voice recordings)
  6. Send your message

Advanced Messaging Features

  • Two-way translation: Messages automatically translate to families' preferred languages
  • Voice messages: Record up to 2-minute voice clips for more personal communication
  • Delivery tracking: See when messages are read
  • Reply directly via SMS: Families can respond via text message

Office Hours

  • Set specific hours when you'll respond to messages
  • Access through: My Account → Office Hours
  • Benefits: Helps maintain work-life balance while setting clear expectations

Managing Classes and Groups

Class Management

  • View class rosters: Automatically synced from your SIS
  • Rename classes: Make class names more user-friendly for parents
  • Add teaching assistants: Include room parents, aides, or co-teachers
  • Manage permissions: Control who can post and comment

Creating Special Groups

  1. Navigate to Groups → New Group → New Static Group
  2. Choose group type:
    • Public: Visible to all families in your school
    • Private: Only visible to invited members
  3. Add group details: Name, description, and purpose
  4. Add members: Search and select students/families
  5. Set permissions: Decide who can post and manage the group

Group Use Cases

  • After-school clubs
  • Sports teams
  • Special projects
  • Field trip groups
  • Academic intervention groups
  • Enrichment programs

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Setting Up Conference Sign-ups

  1. Go to Add-Ons → Conference Sign-ups
  2. Select your classes and groups
  3. Set conference details:
    • Date range
    • Time slots
    • Duration per conference
    • Location (in-person or virtual)
  4. Configure options:
    • Allow parents to see available times
    • Send reminder notifications
    • Include preparation instructions

Managing Conference Schedules

  • View all appointments in calendar view
  • Send reminders to families who haven't signed up
  • Make manual adjustments as needed
  • Send follow-up messages after conferences

Volunteer and Supply Requests

Adding Volunteer Requests to Posts

  1. Create a new post about your activity or event
  2. In the left sidebar, select "Request Volunteers"
  3. Specify details:
    • Number of volunteers needed
    • Specific tasks or roles
    • Date and time requirements
    • Any special qualifications

Adding Supply Requests to Posts

  1. While creating a post, select "Ask for Items"
  2. List needed supplies:
    • Item name and quantity needed
    • Specific brands or requirements
    • Deadline for contributions

Managing Sign-ups

  • Track participation in real-time
  • Send reminders to families who haven't responded
  • Manually add families who contacted you outside the system
  • Send thank you messages to volunteers and contributors

Settings and Preferences

Personal Account Settings

Access through: Click your name → My Account

Notification Settings

  • Posts: Choose instant notifications or daily digest
  • Direct Messages: Recommended to keep on instant
  • Alerts: Always remain on for emergency communications
Language Settings
  • Set your preferred language for the interface
  • Note: Your outgoing messages will automatically translate for recipients
Privacy Settings
  • Profile visibility: Control what information families can see
  • Contact preferences: Set how families can reach you

Class-Specific Settings

  • Posting permissions: Control who can post to your class feed
  • Comment moderation: Choose to approve comments before they appear
  • Member visibility: Decide if families can see other class members

Best Practices

Communication Guidelines

  1. Be Professional: Use appropriate tone and language
  2. Be Timely: Respond to messages within 24-48 hours during school days
  3. Be Clear: Use simple, direct language
  4. Be Consistent: Establish regular communication patterns

Engagement Strategies

  • Post regularly but avoid overwhelming families
  • Use visuals - photos and videos increase engagement
  • Ask questions to encourage family participation
  • Celebrate student achievements publicly when appropriate
  • Share learning objectives so families understand classroom goals

Time Management Tips

  • Use scheduling to prepare posts in advance
  • Create templates for common messages
  • Batch similar communications together
  • Use digest mode for notifications to avoid constant interruptions

Building Community

  • Encourage family participation through polls and questions
  • Share classroom culture through photos and stories
  • Recognize parent volunteers publicly
  • Create opportunities for families to connect with each other

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

"I can't see all my classes"
  • Check with your administrator - rosters sync from your SIS
  • Verify you're logged in with your school email address
  • Contact IT support if classes are missing after 24 hours
"Parents say they're not receiving my messages"
  • Check delivery reports in your message history
  • Verify parent contact information through school office
  • Remind parents to check spam/junk folders
  • Encourage app download for better delivery

"I have both parent and teacher accounts"

  • Contact ParentSquare support at support@parentsquare.com
  • Request account merge with both email addresses and phone numbers
  • This will combine your parent and teacher access in one account
"Translation isn't working correctly"
  • Remember translations use Google Translate and may not be perfect
  • Include a disclaimer about auto-translation when needed
  • For critical communications, consider having messages professionally translated
"I'm getting too many notifications"
  • Adjust notification settings to digest mode for posts
  • Keep direct messages on instant notification
  • Set office hours to limit when you receive messages
  • Use filters to organize your communications

Getting Additional Help

  • Check ParentSquare Help Articles: Available after logging in
  • Contact your school's ParentSquare administrator
  • Reach out to ParentSquare Support: support@parentsquare.com
  • Join teacher training sessions offered by your district

Quick Reference

Essential Daily Tasks

  • [ ] Check direct messages
  • [ ] Review any new class posts
  • [ ] Respond to family communications
  • [ ] Post any daily updates or reminders

Weekly Tasks

  • [ ] Create weekly newsletter or summary post
  • [ ] Review and respond to volunteer sign-ups
  • [ ] Check conference scheduling if applicable
  • [ ] Plan upcoming posts and communications

Monthly Tasks

  • [ ] Review notification settings
  • [ ] Update class information as needed
  • [ ] Archive old posts and messages
  • [ ] Plan special events or communications

Emergency Communications

  • Use urgent alerts only for true emergencies
  • Include clear instructions for families
  • Follow up with additional information as needed
  • Coordinate with administration for school-wide emergencies