ParentSquare FAQs
These FAQs are designed to provide more information about how to activate an account and set message preferences.
Parents/guardians/caregivers are automatically connected to ParentSquare but must activate their accounts to receive text messages, app notifications and voice calls through the system.
To activate your account, go to the ParentSquare Sign-in Page and on the right side of the screen in the “Sign Up/Create Password” area, enter the email address or cell phone number that you have on file with the school.
ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each staff member; sign in with Google using your Rensselaer City School District email address. Classrooms and class rosters are automatically setup in ParentSquare, when they are ready and released in SchoolTool. We encourage staff members to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app, update their preferences and begin using the platform to communicate with students and their families.
You can activate your ParentSquare account by signing in to ParentSquare using the contact information (email or phone number) that matches the data that is on record with Human Resources.
Community members are encouraged to register for the district’s “ParentSquare Community Groups” to receive messages from RCSD. Detailed registration instructions are below.
Community members will receive district announcements that pertain to the whole community (i.e. community forums and events, voting information, significant news and information) and board meeting announcements. Families will also receive the message types listed above through ParentSquare, as well as messages from their child’s school and in some cases their child’s teacher.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register for the RCSD Public Community Groups in ParentSquare
- Go to the RCSD ParentSquare Community Groups page and enter your name and email address, select “RCSD Public Community Group” and click “Submit.”
- You will receive an email from ParentSquare to activate your account. Click on the link that says, “Activate Your Account” in the email.
- This will bring you to a screen where you will need to establish a password and accept the terms and conditions. After those are done, click “Register.”
- This will bring you to a screen where you will need to verify that the account information is your own. If so, click “Yes, This is Me.” You will again be asked to verify that you would like to move forward.
- This will bring you to the home page where posts/messages from the district will be displayed. Your account is active.
- To register for text messages and select preferences, once you are logged in to ParentSquare, in the top right hand corner of the page click on your name and then “My Account.”
- To receive text messages, click “Edit” toward the top right side of the page. In the middle of the screen click, “Add Phone” and your phone number. A verification code will be sent your phone. Enter the code where prompted and click “Confirm” and save.
- Important note: Each ParentSquare post generates an email, text message and app notification to users. (Only those who confirm text messaging or download the app receive messages in those formats). If you would like to manage your Notification Settings, click “Customize Your Settings” on the right side of the My Account page. From there, you can turn email, app notifications, and/or text messages to OFF, INSTANT, or DIGEST. Digest means that you will get a single notice (whether email, text or app notification) at 6 p.m. with any/all messages sent that day, all at once.
- When you are logged in to ParentSquare, in the top right hand corner of the page click on your name and then “My Account.”
- Click “Edit” toward the top right side of the page. In the middle of the screen click, “Add Phone” and your phone number.
- A verification code will be sent to your phone. Enter the code where prompted and click “Confirm” and save.
The ParentSquare app is available for Apple and Android devices. After you download the ParentSquare app, you will log-in to ParentSquare using the email address or cell phone that the district has on file for you.
For help configuring these notifications, please reference the type of device you have below:
There are two ways that you can customize the way you receive messages from ParentSquare: The type of message you receive and the timing of the message.
Type of Message
You can choose to receive any or all of these message types through ParentSquare:
- Emails
- Text Messages
- App Notifications
Note: You would only receive a phone call in an emergency situation.
Timing of the Message
For each of the three message types listed above, you can select the timing of when you receive the messages in the following way:
- OFF: You will never receive this message type. (Example, you turn off text messages because you get app notifications.)
- INSTANT: You receive all messages as soon as they are sent.
- DIGEST: You receive all messages in a single notice at 6 p.m. each evening. (Note: You will not miss an urgent/emergency message if you select this because those types of messages are set to override the digest setting.)
- When you are logged in to ParentSquare, in the top right hand corner of the page click on your name and then “My Account.”
- On the right side of the page, in the area that says “Notification Settings” click “Customize Your Settings”
- This will bring you to a page that will allow you to turn your settings for Email, App Notifications, and Text Messages (if enabled) to either: OFF, INSTANT, or DIGEST, as defined above.
Using a website browser
- From Home, click the down arrow next to your name, in the upper right.
- Select “My Account.”
- In the left sidebar, go to the “Language Setting” option and select your preferred language.
Using the mobile app
- From “Home,” tap the triple bars in the upper right.
- Select “Account Preferences” then select “Language.”
- Choose your preferred language.
No, you will not miss an urgent message if you select the Digest option. The district will override the digest setting in truly urgent or emergency situations or when the information is time sensitive, such as a Snow Day.
You may want to change your message preferences. For example, if you are receiving text messages and app notifications each time a message is sent, perhaps you want to choose one or the other for messages and turn the other one OFF. You may also want to choose the Digest setting for one or more message types so that you receive any messages sent to you that day all at once at 6 p.m. As noted above, you will not miss an urgent message if you choose Digest because time sensitive messages will override that setting.
You will receive emails, texts & calls from the district at the email address & phone we have on file for you, but you will not be able to interact/respond to any of the messages or view past communications without registering.
Check your notification preferences first and ensure they aren’t turned off! If they are set to receive instantly or digest, then, please confirm your contact information with the school or contact the RCSD Helpdesk. **Please note: The IT Helpdesk CANNOT update your contact information. This must be done by your school or the registrar. If your contact information is incorrect and it needs to be updated, IT will refer you to the school building or the registrar.**
Check your notification preferences first and ensure they aren’t turned off! If there is still an issue, please submit an IT Ticket.
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