Sending Direct SMS Text Messages via ParentSquare

Good news! For staff who need to send quick text messages to students and parents, we are excited to announce that ParentSquare now supports direct SMS texting from its platform. This new feature provides a reliable alternative for sending urgent or routine communications.

This article outlines the simple steps to send individual (Direct Messages) or group text messages using ParentSquare, both from your computer and the mobile app.

Important: If people are not receiving your texts, please direct them to their ParentSquare notification settings to change their texting option to Instant.

Key Benefits

• Reliable Delivery: Messages are sent directly as SMS to the recipient's smartphone.
• Convenient Replies: All replies appear within your ParentSquare app, keeping conversations organized.
• Flexible Communication: Send to individuals or create group conversations.

How to Send a Text Message (Computer)

Follow these steps to send an SMS message from ParentSquare on your computer:

1. Sign In to ParentSquare:

   • Navigate to the TUHSD Portal.
   • Click on the ParentSquare shortcut.
     

2. Start a New Message:

   • From the ParentSquare dashboard, under "Communicate" in the left-hand navigation menu, select "Messages".
     
   • On the Messages page, click the "New Message" button (usually located at the top right).
     

3. Choose Message Type:

   • A pop-up window will appear, asking you to select the message type.
   • Choose either "Direct Message" for an individual recipient or "Group Conversation" for multiple recipients.
     

4. Add Recipient(s):

   • In the "To" field, begin typing the name of the student or parent you wish to message.
   • As you type, ParentSquare will suggest names. Tap on the correct name(s) from the search results to add them.
   • For a group conversation, you can continue adding multiple recipients.

5. Draft & Send Your Message:

   • Type your message into the text box.
   • Ensure your message is concise for SMS delivery.
   • Click the "Send" button to send your message.

How to Send a Text Message (Mobile App)

The steps for the ParentSquare mobile app are very similar:

1. Sign In:

   • Open the ParentSquare or StudentSquare app on your smartphone.
   • Sign in with your credentials.

2. Start a New Message:

   • From the app's main screen, tap on the "Messages" icon (usually at the bottom navigation bar).
   • Then, tap the "+" sign (usually at the top right corner) to start a new message.

3. Choose Message Type:

   • Select either "Direct Message" or "Group Conversation".

4. Add Recipient(s):

   • Search for the recipient(s) by typing their name.
   • Tap on their name(s) from the results to select recipient(s).
   • Tap on Add (1) (number changes based on how many recipients are selected) to add them to your message.

5. Draft & Send Your Message:

   • Compose your message in the text field.
   • Tap the "Send" button.

Recipient Experience & Replies

After you send the message:

• Recipient(s) will receive the message as a standard SMS text message on their smartphone.
• They will also see the message within their ParentSquare or StudentSquare app.
• When a recipient replies, their response will appear directly in your ParentSquare app (not as a reply to your phone's native SMS app). This keeps all your communications centralized.

Need Assistance?

If you encounter any challenges or have questions, please submit a detailed ticket to the IT Helpdesk. 
Check out this ParentSquare article for more information.