This fall, the Goshen Central School District will adopt a new communication tool for the 2024-25 school year. The district will implement ParentSquare as its primary mass notification system, replacing SchoolMessenger and other applications, such as Remind, Talking Points or ClassDojo.
From mass emails, texts and phone calls to classroom-specific communication, ParentSquare is a unified communications platform that allows parents/guardians to access vital information – how and when they want it — and stay connected with their child’s school and teachers.
Parents and guardians will receive an email from ParentSquare with instructions to activate their account using the contact information on file with the district in SchoolTool. You can also activate your account by visiting parentsquare.com or via the ParentSquare app, which is a free download for iOS and Android users.
Parents who do not activate their account will receive text, email and phone notifications but will not be able to implement all of ParentSquare’s unique features. When a parent/guardian account is activated, users will be able to:
- Manage communication settings and notification preferences*
- Message directly with their child’s teachers
- Communicate in their preferred language
- Submit attendance notes
- Join school groups
- Fill out forms and permission slips
- RSVP for events and volunteer opportunities
Please note that some of these features may not be available at inception and will be rolled out throughout the school year.
*One of the many benefits of creating a ParentSquare account is the ability to manage your notification settings. Users can set their preferences to either Instant or Digest for email, text messages and the app. Instant users will receive a notification the minute a message is posted. Digest users will receive one daily notification at 6 p.m. containing all messages posted that day.
More information about ParentSquare will be shared with families as we get closer to a launch date in September. In the meantime, parents and guardians are encouraged to view an introductory video from Parent Square to learn more about this robust communications platform.
Questions can be directed to K-12 Technology Coordinator Jonathan Redeker at jonathan.redeker@gcsny.org.