Hello Windsor Unified Families:
This note is designed to help give you additional information about ParentSquare, and to provide a few gentle reminders.
We know, we know, you’re thinking, “No, not another platform, I refuse!” Well, we actually heard you, and that is why you see ParentSquare. While we are doing a staggered roll out, by the time school starts in the fall this will be the only app or platform you will need to be using. We are shifting our entire District to this platform, so no more learning a new system when your kids change schools or getting your teachers’ messages one place and your District’s another.
At present, your District and your site administrators have moved to the ParentSquare platform exclusively for communication. Adoption by teachers is currently on a case-by-case basis, but come the fall, adoption will be mandatory for teachers as well. Check with your teacher to find out if they have already moved to ParentSquare.
A few things to know:
Your messages will say Aeries Communications. This is because we acquired ParentSquare through Aeries, and that is the default sender. Please look at anything with that heading, it is likely important information from your school or District. Updates, weekly newsletters, community events and more will come to you from Aeries Communications.
Some messages will be titled with a date and a digest heading (such as Jan. 20, 2023 Digest). For families that have set their settings to “digest” they are receiving all their communication in a single daily email. You should open your digest, and you will be able to quickly scan headlines for information you need. Click on the headline to see the entire message.
You need to activate your account and curate your settings. We’ve sent out several communications suggesting families do this, and this is another one. Once your account is activated, you’ll not only be able to curate how you receive your communications, but you’ll have access to the app as well as the digest and other features. You can even choose to only utilize the app, rather than receiving texts or emails. However, emergency communications will always be sent to you immediately, over all platforms, in cases where we need you to know something immediately. There will be information below on how to activate your account.
Check your Aeries information. ParentSquare is a part of Aeries, and it pulls its contact information and data directly from there. Are you not getting Aeries Communications stuff? Or it’s going to someone it shouldn’t? Or would you like to receive it in Spanish? Check your Aeries data, as 9 times out of 10, the fix can be found by updating your information there.
How you will get information will vary. First, you will have the ability to curate how you receive information, whether it’s email (instant or digest), text, or through the app. However, in cases of urgent or emergency communications, we will be able to send out a notification that goes to all three outlets (text, email, app) instantly, regardless of settings. In addition, some community-related (non-school) communications will be posted to your feeds on the app, but not sent directly to you via email or text. For this reason, we recommend you download the app, even if you continue to receive your communications via email or text.
We strongly recommend you download the app. All messages and notifications will always be available for you to view and review in the app. So no more worrying about missing an email or dropping a text, your central feed in the app will always have your communications available for review.
Please remember that you are responsible for checking communications from the school or District, including those labeled digest. These communications can include important information such as notices of students with a D or F, deadlines for activities, graduation or sports requirements or information, and more. Failure to open or read communications may result in you not receiving critical information regarding your student.
We are excited to consolidate our communications, calendars and information in one place where it is easy for families to access and is consistent throughout all the years they are a part of Windsor Unified School District. As with any new project, there will be some growing pains, but the end result will be worth it.
If you have already activated your account, then consider this friendly guidance on the platform. If you haven’t, please follow the instructions below:
Under Sign Up/Create Password, enter Email or Cell Phone Number. You must use the same email/phone you provided to your school.
Click Go.
If the email/phone matches the information in ParentSquare, user receives an account activation email/text to register.
Here is a great tutorial on getting started with ParentSquare and it’s features: https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203414049-Getting-Started-#overview-video-parentsquare-for-parents-guardians-0-0
Questions? Concerns? Please reach out to Heather Bailey, Coordinator of District Communications, hbailey@wusd.org.