ParentSquare is excited to announce an improvement to how you receive notifications for posts from our school. Soon, if you use the ParentSquare app and have both app and text notifications turned on, you'll receive post notifications through the app, with text notifications sent only as a backup when needed. This smart delivery system will simplify and streamline how you receive your school communications. 

You may have also seen a similar change in the way you receive Smart Alerts recently. In the case of Smart Alerts sent by the district, the system will send an email and text first. If your text does not go through, then a voice message will be sent (if the district sets up to send voice messages). Please note the district can override and choose to send email, text, and voice at the same time. 

Currently, you might receive duplicate notifications for posts via the app or text. 

With this update: 

• App-first delivery, with text as fallback for posts: When a post is shared, you'll receive a notification through the app first, with a backup text notification only if needed. This applies to posts, post digests, and updates to posts.
• No change for time-sensitive messages: Direct Messages and alerts are still delivered via your preferred methods. 

This basic change streamlines how you receive posts notifications. By reducing the number of notifications sent to your device for each post, so it will be easier for you to keep track of school updates in one place. 

No action is required from your side! If you already use the app and have both app and text notifications turned on, you'll automatically benefit from this smart notification delivery. 

If you haven’t downloaded the ParentSquare app or turned on app notifications, especially School Alerts, now is a great time to do so. This gives you the best way to access and customize classroom communications on your mobile device. 

Posts – Used to share information, promote events, or highlight achievements—everyday outreach messages—similar to social media updates. The District, buildings, faculty, staff, and coaches can share videos, photos, sign-ups, volunteer opportunities, and more. Posts can be sent instantly or included in the daily 6 p.m. message digest. They can be targeted to specific buildings, classes, or groups (e.g., clubs, athletics). You may miss these updates if you haven’t downloaded the app.

Direct Messages – Instant, auto-translated direct messages sent to an individual, group, or class. Allows for two-way messaging. Parents and students (MS/HS) can message teachers with questions, and staff can directly communicate with colleagues, parents, or students for school-related purposes. These messages are saved by the system and are not deleted and can be referred to at a later date as needed (much like the app Remind). 

Smart Alerts (School Alerts) – Immediate or scheduled alerts (to be sent same day or next day by district) that may bypass normal parent notification settings (e.g. scheduled school closures, delayed opening, early dismissals, afterschool and weekend activity cancellations, etc.). Sent by text; if text fails, then goes to voice call if enabled. Email will also be sent. You must have School Alerts turned on to receive these messages (see your ParentSquare notification settings).

Important Note:

• Clicking "Unsubscribe" from an email notification brings the user to a screen where they can “Stop notifications”. Doing this turns all email/text/app notification preferences to off and School Alerts to off. 

• Texting “STOP” will opt out the phone from future texts regardless of the user preference set under Notification Settings. 

Urgent Alerts – High-priority, time-sensitive alerts for school-wide emergencies (e.g., school closures due to weather, AMI days, use of snow routes, natural disasters, critical threat, etc.). Will send as email, text, and voice. Will also post alert pop-up alert on school district website. These are delivered even if you have not registered with the ParentSquare app, cannot be disabled in ParentSquare notifications. 

Important Note:

• Urgent Alerts will always override email and text notification preferences and will attempt to notifiy those contacts. If you have opted your phone out of texts, you may still receive an email or voice call.

To register for ParentSquare using the ParentSquare App, go to this Help Article.

To learn more about Managing Your Notification Settings, see ParentSquare's Help Article. 

Know someone who would like to receive notifications from one of our ParentSquare Community groups (e.g., School Weather Alerts, MCAC, Alumni, Project Grad, or Versailles PTO)? Go to Community Group Sign-Up Form.

Know someone who would like to receive notifications with one of our ParentSquare Athletic Group pages? Go to Athletic Group Sign-Up Form. 

Questions? Email communications@versaillestigers.org.