FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: PARENTS

Q: How do I sign up for ParentSquare or opt-in to receive messages and notifications?
You don’t have to take any action to receive emails, texts or phone calls. Our student information system (PowerSchool) syncs contact information directly with ParentSquare. If you want to utilize the app, simply download it from the app store and follow the prompts.

Q: Can I access communications for more than one of my students from the same account?
Yes. The first time that you log into the app or web portal, all of your students should automatically be listed in your account. If you don’t see them, please contact your school office.

Q: How secure is my student/family information in ParentSquare ?
Only registered parents/guardians have access to ParentSquare, because those contacts are empowered for data access through PowerSchool. Nobody has access to communications about a student through ParentSquare unless they are first allowed within PowerSchool.

Q: What are the message/alert/notification categories, and what do they mean?
You can choose to receive messages via email, text, voice and/or the app. While you can opt out of any of these methods of communication, please note that the district has the discretion to override opt-outs for messages and alerts deemed urgent or important, including health and safety situations and attendance.

Q: What types of messages will I get?
ParentSquare allows the district, schools and teachers to send messages in a variety of ways. One method is a post that would only go to your school’s “feed” in the ParentSquare app or web portal. Your school or teacher also could choose to send that post to parents/guardians in the form of a text or email. Staff can choose to send a private message to one or more users. For example, a school nurse might text you to ask a question about administering your student’s medication. The third method is a “smart alert” sent at the district and school level — these are for timely alerts that need immediate, though not urgent, attention, including transportation notifications, lunch balances, and important school reminders. They can be sent via text, email or phone call. The final category is an “urgent alert.” These messages will be sent via text, email and phone call and include inclement weather notifications and emergency issues.

Q: My email is correct in ParentSquare. Why am I not receiving emails?
Check with your school secretary to be sure your PowerSchool contact information is accurate. All ParentSquare information is pulled directly from PowerSchool. Also be sure you have not changed your notification settings in ParentSquare to disallow emails. 
 
Q: How do I change my password?
Please go to parentsquare.com and on the login page, click "Forgot Password." Put in your email or phone number, and you’ll be sent a link to reset your password.

Q: Can I change the email and/or cell phone number on my account?
If you wish to change your contact information, please contact your school or update the information through PowerSchool. PowerSchool syncs nightly with ParentSquare to update information.

Q: English is not my first language. How can I receive content in my native language?
You can customize your language settings by going to "My Account" and clicking "Language Settings." From there, you can choose any language that you prefer from the drop-down menu, and you’ll start to receive content in that language. Here is a help article on how to change your language settings.

Q: I am getting too many messages from ParentSquare. Is it possible to receive fewer notifications?
You can customize your notification settings by going to your homepage and clicking on "My Account." On your account page, click "Notification Settings" to customize your notifications. If you’re receiving too many notifications, try changing to "digest" setting, meaning you’ll only receive one condensed message in the evening. 
 
Q: Is it possible to contact my child's teacher directly and privately?
You can contact your child's teacher privately by using the direct messaging tool. On the home page, click on "Messages" in the left sidebar. From there, you can send a direct message to your child's teacher that only you and the teacher can see. You also can send messages to other staff members at the school, such as your child's coaches and club leaders. You can send these messages in your preferred language; the messages will arrive to staff in English. 
 
Q: How can I edit my conference sign up?
In order to change your sign up, you must delete your existing sign up and sign up again for the correct slot. To delete your sign up, hover your mouse over your name, and you’ll see a trash can appear to the right of your name. Click on the trash, can and your sign up will be removed. Then, you can click on the "Sign Up" button that corresponds with the correct slot.

Q: Can I change my RSVP?
If your plans change and you would like to change your RSVP, click on "Sign Ups and RSVPs" under the Participate tab in the left sidebar. On this page, find the event that you had previously sent an RSVP for and click the button that says "Change my RSVP" on the right side.

Q: I've received an invalid registration link. What should I do?
If your registration link expired, you’ll need a new one. Please contact your school office or send an email to [email protected] and ask for a new link to be sent to you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: TEACHERS

Q: I am both a staff member and a parent in the district. How can I add my child to my staff account? If your child is not visible on your staff account, it may be because your contact information in PowerSchool does not include your staff school email address. You can update your student's contact information in PowerSchool to reflect your staff email address. You can also click on My Account, then under "Missing kids, schools or contact info?", click Combine with Another Account. If these paths don't solve your problem, please email [email protected].

Q: Can I add a room parent or classroom assistant to my class?
Yes, if you would like to add a room parent to your class please visit Admin>Classes. From this page, click "add user" and type in the name of the individual you would like to add. Click on their name to highlight it and then select the role you would like them to have: room parent or assistant/other. 

Q: Can I still email parents if needed? Why is ParentSquare the preferred option for parent contact when we already have email and Canvas?
You can email parents and students when needed, or send communications through Canvas. However, because many parents have multiple children enrolled in Joplin Schools, we would like to limit the locations those parents must search in for information about a particular student. Consider the following Communications Math problem: Jane Doe has two children who attend two different schools. One child has 7 teachers and participates in 4 activities. One child has 5 teachers and participates in 2 activities. Each coach/teacher/principal has a different way they like to communicate with families about successes, challenges, and reminders. They've all picked different tools that feel good to them. How many messages might Jane Doe get on any given day and from what messaging tools? Answer: the limit does not exist! We encourage staff to use ParentSquare to ease the burden on our parents who are trying to keep up with school information in a timely manner and a single location.

Q: I am in charge of a club or sport; can I communicate with just those parents even if their children are not in my class?
Teachers have the ability to create groups with students who are not in their class. Please visit Groups>New group>New Static Group. From here you can create the group and choose a name and description for your group, as well as whether or not you want the group to be public or private. At the bottom, you can add your members by searching for them and checking the box next to the name of the individuals you would like to add. When you are finished click "Save" at the bottom.

Q: Is it possible to contact a few of my students' parents privately?
If you would like to contact a few of your parents without posting to the entire class, please use the Direct Message feature. Select "Messages" from the left sidebar on the homepage. Here, you can select either a single parent to message, or multiple parents. Just begin typing their name in the recipient field, and they will appear as an option. If you select more than one recipient, you will have the choice to create a private message or a group message. A private message will create individual threads to each recipient (like a BCC), whereas a group message will create one thread on which all recipients can communicate.

Q: I am doing a project in my class and I need parent volunteers and items for our project. Can I ask for these on ParentSquare?
ParentSquare offers the capability to ask for both parent volunteers and items in a post. Click on “New Post” and create a post about your class project. Then, in the left sidebar you can select both "Ask for Items" and "Request Volunteers." Next, input the items and amount you need, as well as how many volunteers you need and what activities they will be doing. Once you are finished, click "Post Now" and watch your sign-up fill up. 
 
Q: Can I manually add a parent to a specific sign up?
Yes, if parents have contacted you about a sign up but have not signed up in ParentSquare, you can add these users manually. Please login to ParentSquare and go to the signup post you would like to add the parent to. Then, on the sign up post please click "add someone" above the sign up button next to the time slot or item you would like to sign them up for. Search for the user, highlight their name and click save.

Q: How do I create conference sign ups for multiple classes and/or groups?
On your homepage under Posts, click the down arrow next to New Post, and choose Appointment sign ups. Input the conference options according to your needs. Be sure to leave yourself a meal break or other recess if needed. Choose how many guests can fill each appointment slot, and whether or not their sign up name will be public on the post. Click Next. Create your Post as usual, designating recipients, creating body text, and uploading photos/files as needed. Schedule or Post Now as needed.

Q: I've set my office hours, but parents are still messaging me outside those times. Why?
Office hours do not prevent messages from being sent to teachers and staff members. Parents can send a message any time, but if done outside your set office hours, they will receive a pop-up notification that alerts them to the fact that you are outside office hours and may not respond until office hours resume.

Q: I've heard we can accept payments through ParentSquare. Is this true?
ParentSquare does offer payment features, but Joplin Schools does not support those features at this time.