Teacher Central - ParentSquare

ParentSquare

Engage your students’ families in two-way communication available via text, email, app and voice messages and auto-translated into their home language.

What Is ParentSquare?

ParentSquare is a fully unified platform that engages every family with school communications and communications-based services—all the way from the district office to the classroom teacher, and all in one place.

Adopted as the OUSD communications platform in 2021, ParentSquare enables two-way communication available via text, email, app and voice messages. Automatic translations and nightly syncs with Aeries ensure high contactability rates (99%+ across our schools) and that we are reaching our families in their home language.

Teachers, parents and students (Gr 6-12) can access the platform from their mobile phone or a computer
OUSD parents/guardians (designated in Aeries) receive messages from their students’ schools, teachers as well as the districtwide news and updates
Encouraging parents/guardians to register their accounts provides them full access, two-way communication and allows them to make changes to their notification settings. However, unregistered users will still passively receive messages.

Download the FREE ParentSquare mobile app, which allows you to use your smartphone to communicate with your students’ families without having to share your phone number. This is the easiest way to receive all Posts, Events, Sign Up Requests, Photos and Files. Users can enable app notifications when a message is posted.

iPhone - Apple Store |. Android - Google Play Store

Quick Start Guide for Teachers

Here's a quick start guide for teachers. Download the Teacher Checklist to check off the items as you go.

ParentSquare FAQs

One of my student’s parents said they are not receiving my messages, what do I do to help?

First, check your classroom directory to see the parents/guardians associated with that student. If they are not listed or their contact information is incorrect, direct them to the main office where clerical staff can help them update their contact info (first and last name, mobile phone and/or email) in Aeries. Common issues include:

Parents have inconsistent contact information listed across their children’s Aeries Contact records
Their Automated Notification Preferences in Aeries need to be set to “General and Emergency Announcements,” which signals the Aeries-ParentSquare sync.

Note: 99% of issues with parent accounts can (and should) be resolved on site by your clerical staff in Aeries. Those updates will sync with ParentSquare overnight.

What if a parent does not have an email address? No problem! Parents/guardians only need a working mobile number or an email address in Aeries to automatically be assigned a ParentSquare account. For those with smartphones, we highly recommend downloading the ParentSquare app for convenience.

Can I send a post to the entire grade level? Elementary and middle school teachers can post to their entire grade level. If you or a colleague needs additional permissions in ParentSquare, ask your administrator to send a request via HelpDesk.
How and when do parents receive a notification for my post? It depends on which option you choose. Most parents will receive all post notifications in the daily digest at 6:30PM, which is the OUSD default.
I am an OUSD teacher and parent, does that mean I have multiple ParentSquare accounts? Your staff account is automatically associated with your OUSD email address whereas your parent account is associated with the email address (and mobile number) listed in Aeries Contacts for your student(s). Users managing both staff and parent accounts can now sign into both and easily switch between them without signing out and back in, learn how here and refer FAQs.