ParentSquare
ParentSquare FAQ
Q: What is ParentSquare?
A: ParentSquare, is a new communication platform that will allow HCS to unify all parent and guardian communication from the district, schools, classrooms and school activity groups under one umbrella. Click here to watch a short video.
Q: Is ParentSquare replacing SchoolMessenger?
A: Yes, ParentSquare is replacing the robo platform SchoolMessenger. We found that there were multiple platforms being used across the district because they provided different functions. For example, Remind101. With this new platform, every method of communication will be in one place to make it easier for our teachers, students, and families.
Q: Why didn't I receive a ParentSquare invite?
A: ParentSquare invites will start at the end of June 2022. Email and text invites will be sent to the email addresses and cell phone numbers of parents and guardians that we have on file in our student management system, Schooltool. If you did not receive a ParentSquare invite, then it is possible we have the wrong contact information on file. Please contact Jodi Shantal in the Student Registration Office to verify or correct the contact information we have on file. jshantal@hamiltoncentral.org
Q: Why doesn't my ParentSquare invite link work?
A: Those invitation links only last for 24 hours. You do not need to wait for a new invitation! You can proceed to the ParentSquare log on page and create your account with the same email address at which you would have received an invite.
Q: Why does my ParentSquare account have my spouse's name on it?
A: It is recommended that each spouse have their own cell phone or email for emergency situations. However, if you and your spouse share an email address (or have provided the same email address for each of you in our parent contact records, only one spouse will be able to log in to ParentSquare using that email address. The other spouse should use their cell phone number to log on or contact Jodi Shantal in the Student Registration Office to add an additional email address. jshantal@hamiltoncentral.org
Q: Do I have to use ParentSquare on my SmartPhone?
A: No, if you prefer, you can navigate to https://www.parentsquare.com/signin from a computer and do all of the same ParentSquare activities.
Q: How do I find the ParentSquare app?
A: To download, search for ParentSquare in the App Store.
Q: Will all teachers be using ParentSquare for home-to-school communication this year?
A: By Fall 2022, ParentSquare will be the main source of communication for the district. However, this method of communication might not be utilized by all classrooms right away. This is a new platform, so please be patient.
Q: So is it possible to contact my child's teacher directly and privately? How does that work?
A: Yes, once the feature is enabled, and teachers start to use the platform, parents and guardians can contact their child's teacher privately by using the direct messaging tool. On the home page, click on "Messaging" in the left sidebar. From here, you can send a direct message to your child's teacher that only you and the teacher can see. You can also send messages to other staff members at the school, such as your child's coaches and club leaders. Here is a link to our help page on direct messaging.
Q: Who will ParentSquare contact?
A: ParentSquare will notify those contacts listed as a Primary Parent, Parent, Guardian or a customized role called: PS Guardian approved contact within Schooltool. ParentSquare is an all-in-one platform that contains personally identifiable information for each student. Therefore, we only engage with those designated contacts.
Q: My babysitter/grandmother/uncle wants information about inclement weather closures/delays but can’t create an account. Can I share my username/password with them?
A: No. Sharing a password will allow a user to see personally identifiable information about the student. Since Parent Square is an all-on-one tool, the information an end user would see would be attendance notifications, lunch balance information, direct messages, and, in the near future, behavioral content and report cards.
Q: We are a split-family with restrictions. Will my ex see my contact information?
A: No. Each contact has the functionality of creating their own private account. They will, however, see everything related to the shared student. They will NOT see contact information on the other parent.
Q: I am not a direct parent or guardian but would like to be notified about school closings. How can I be notified?
A: The district uses many different communication platforms when it comes to snow days and non-emergency announcements.
Hamilton leverages social media platforms such as Facebook.
Facebook: facebook.com/hamiltoncentralny
Hamilton school closings will be announced on the following broadcast outlets:
RADIO stations: KISS-FM 97.9/105.5, Bug Country 99.7 & 101.1, WUTQ 100.7 FM, WFRG 104.3,Lite 98.7,WOUR 96.9, The Eagle 96.1, WIBX 95.0
TELEVISION stations: CHANNEL 3 & 5 SYRACUSE, CHANNEL 9 SYRACUSE, WKTV CHANNEL 2 - UTICA, SPECTRUM NEWS
Q: Is ParentSquare for students as well?
A: Yes. Even though it’s called ParentSquare, there is a platform specifically for students called StudentSquare. The platform is the same as what the parents see, just named differently for students.
Q: What grades can see StudentSquare?
A: StudentSquare will be turned on automatically for students in grades 9-12. For students in grades 6-8 who have email addresses and want access to StudentSquare, the district will need a release form which can be found HERE.
Q: Will ParentSquare be used for classroom assignments?
A: No. ParentSquare is not the main resource for classroom assignments. However, teachers can utilize the platform to remind families and students of due dates if they choose.
Q: If I change my contact information (phone number, email address), how long does it take until that change is in effect?
A: It can take up to 24 hours for your contact information to be synced from Schooltool to ParentSquare.
Q: My email is correct in ParentSquare. Why am I not receiving emails?
A: Please check your spam to see if any ParentSquare messages ended up there, and mark them as "Not Spam." Also add donotreply@parentsquare.com to your email contacts so your server recognizes our messages. If you still are not receiving emails, please contact support@parentsquare.com .
Q: How can I add another child to my account? How can I add another school to my account?
A: If you wish to add another child to your account, you will have to ensure your school's information system has registered your contact information and you are associated with your child. ParentSquare will always reflect the most current information received from the school’s information system, Schooltool. Please contact Debbie Kirley in the Student Registration Office to make sure you are connected properly in Schooltool. jshantal@hamiltoncentral.org
Q: How do I change my ParentSquare password?
A: Please go to parentsquare.com and on the login page click "Forgot Password." Put in your email or phone number and you will be sent a link to reset your password.
Q: Can I change the email and/or cell phone number on my account?
A: If you wish to change your contact information, please click on your name in the top right corner and go to "My Account." From your account page, click "Edit Account" and you will be able to change your contact information. If you receive an error message when trying to edit your phone number or email, please contact Lori Cimpi in Student Registration to make the change. Here is a help article on changing account information. Any changes made in ParentSquare will be reported to the Student Registration office and confirmed so that it is reflected correctly in Schooltool. Please note that it could take up to 24 hours for this change to take effect.
Q: English is not my first language. How can I receive content in my native language?
A: You can customize your language settings by going to "My Account" and clicking "Change This" under language settings. From there, you can choose any language you prefer from the dropdown menu and you will start to receive content in that language. Here is a help article on how to change your language settings.
Q: I am getting too many messages from ParentSquare. Is it possible to receive fewer notifications?
A: Yes, you can customize your notification settings by going to your homepage and clicking on your name in the top right corner and selecting "My Account" from the drop down menu. On your account page, you can find your notification settings in the top right corner and click "Change This" to customize your notifications. If you are receiving too many notifications, try changing to the “Digest” setting, where you will only receive one condensed message in the evening. Here is a help article on changing your notification settings.
Q: Do I have to create a ParentSquare account?
A: No. But what a registered user can see and have access to and what a non-registered user can see and have access to will be different. For a detailed list of registered vs non-registered privileges, please click here to view an article on registration settings.
Q: I can’t signin to ParentSquare. What is the first step?
A: If you can't signin to ParentSquare with your email or phone number, please contact Debbie Kirley in the Student Registration office to make sure your contact information is correct in Schooltool. jshantal@hamiltoncentral.org Direct: 315-824-6310
Q: I can sign into ParentSquare but need to make adjustments on my account. Where do I go to make changes?
A: Check your email and phone number at ParentSquare. Click on your name in the top right and click My Account. If corrections need to be made, please contact your child's school with the correct information.
Q: Why am I not getting notifications?
A: Check your Notification Preferences on My Account page. Are your notification preferences on?
Check your spam folder for emails from donotreply@parentsquare.com.
Add the domain ParentSquare.com or the email address donotreply@parentsquare.com to the safe senders list in your email client (Gmail, Yahoo, aol, etc.) You can google how to do this.
If using Gmail:Go to Settings. At the bottom of the pane, click Mail. In the left pane, select Mail > Accounts > Block or allow.
Under Blocked Senders, select the address or domain you want to unblock, and then select.
Text the word START to 66458. This will resume text messaging to your phone.
ParentSquare Teacher FAQ
Do I need to let parents/guardians know about ParentSquare?
Parents/guardians will receive an activation email for their ParentSquare accounts. Those who do not register will still receive text, email and phone notifications. Parents who create an account can become more actively engaged in communication by appreciating posts, viewing photos, leaving comments and managing their communication preferences. As a staff member or teacher, you may choose to communicate with your families utilizing ParentSquare. You may find with the two-way messaging and live-time translation that you are able to reach more families. You also may find the analytics about who isn't receiving messages helpful.
How are rosters populated in ParentSquare?
ParentSquare syncs with Schooltool on a nightly basis. Any rosters that you are associated with in Schooltool will show up in ParentSquare.
Do all students have StudentSquare messaging?
StudentSquare will be turned on for students in grades 9-12 starting November 2021. Permission slips from families will need to be signed for students in grades 6-8. Grades 6-8 will be rolled out at a later date.
Can students and parents message back?
Not yet, but eventually. Two-way messaging will be turned on at a later date. Starting in November 2022, StudentSquare will be turned on for one-way messaging. This means that teachers, coaches and departments can message students on a mass-scale similar to ParentSquare.
Does this replace Google Classroom?
No, StudentSquare does not replace Google Classroom. StudentSquare and ParentSquare are designed to message and communicate with guardians and students on a mass scale. It also provides a way to send urgent alerts, forms and permission slips, conference sign-ups, etc.
How does two-way messaging with translation work?
Example: An English-speaking teacher wants to send a message to a student's parents, letting them know that the student went out of their way to help another classmate. Using ParentSquare, the teacher types the text message to the parent in English and presses send. ParentSquare, using advanced Google translate, translates the message into Spanish so that the parent receives the message in Spanish. The parent then thanks the teacher for letting them know about the student's kindness. The parent types that thank you message in Spanish and presses send. ParentSquare translates the message into English and the teacher receives the message in English.
What translation tool does ParentSquare use?
The advanced Google translation tool uses context-driven translation for higher accuracy and can translate into 100+ languages. A disclaimer about the auto-translation tool is included in the messages.
Is there a way to set office hours so that I only receive messages from parents/guardians at certain times?
Yes. You can set office hours under ‘My Account’ which can be found in the top right-hand corner of your screen under your name.
I'm both a staff member and a parent in the district. How can I add my child to my staff account?
It's likely that you'll have two separate accounts: a parent account with a personal email and a staff account with your school email. You can merge your staff and parent account so that you have access to your children and school under one single account. Please email support@parentsquare.com and include the emails and phone numbers that you're using. If you are using the same email account for both, you can toggle between accounts using the drop down menu on the left side of the screen.
Can I add a room parent or classroom assistant to my class?
Yes. If you'd like to add a room parent to your class, please visit Admin > Classes. From this page, click "Add User" and type in the name of the individual whom you would like to add. Click on the name to highlight it and then select the role that you'd like that person to have: room parent or assistant/other. Here is a help article on assigning a room parent to a class. https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204107125-Assign-room-parent-in-a-class-
I'm in charge of a club or sport. Can I communicate with just those parents, even if their children are not in my class?
Teachers have the ability to create groups with students who aren't in their class. Please visit Groups > New Group > New Static Group. From there, you can create the group and choose a name and description for your group, as well as whether or not you want the group to be public or private. At the bottom, you can add your members by searching for them and checking the box next to the names of the individuals that you'd like to add. When you're finished, click "Save" at the bottom. Here is a help article on creating a group. https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204107145-Create-a-Group-
Is it possible to contact a few of my students' parents/guardians privately?
If you'd like to contact a few of your parents without posting to the entire class, you will need to use the messaging feature. (Note: This feature will be turned on in September 2022) Select "Messaging" from the left sidebar on the homepage. Here, you can select either a single parent to message or multiple parents. Just begin typing their names in the recipient field, and they'll appear as an option. If you select more than one recipient, the choice will come up to have a private message or a group message. A private message will create individual threads to each recipient, whereas a group message will create one thread where all recipients can communicate. Here is a help article on direct messaging. https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204215089-Send-a-private-or-group-message-
I'm doing a project in my class and need parent/guardian volunteers and items. Can I ask for these on ParentSquare?
ParentSquare offers the ability to ask for both parent volunteers and items. Go to “New Post” and create a post about your class project. Then, in the left sidebar, select both "Ask for Items" and "Request Volunteers." Next, input the items and amount you need, as well as how many volunteers you need and what activities they'll be doing. Once you're finished, click "Post Now" and watch your sign-up fill up. Here is a help article on creating signups and volunteer lists. https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203390699-Create-a-sign-up-list-Volunteers-and-Wish-Lists-
Can I manually add a parent/guardian to a specific sign-up?
Yes. If you have parents/guardians who have contacted you about a sign-up but have not signed up at ParentSquare, you can add these users manually. Login to ParentSquare and go to the sign-up post that you'd like to add the parent to. Then, on the sign-up post, click "Add Someone" above the sign-up button next to the time slot or item you'd like to sign them up for. Search for the user, highlight the name and click save!
How do I create conference sign-ups for multiple classes and/or groups?
Go to Add-Ons > Conference Sign-ups and on the front page of the conference sign-up, select any class to start. Go through and input the information according to your preferences, deleting any time slots that don't work for you. Finally, on the third page, you can delete the original class that you chose and select the classes and groups that you'd like to hold the conferences for. Here is a help article on conference sign ups. https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/206082583-Create-a-conference-sign-up-post-
Can I still use Dojo, Remind or other apps to communicate with parents/guardians?
No. Unless the district holds a contract with these vendors. It is important that we keep Law 2-d in mind when communicating with or about students. Other districts that have implemented ParentSquare have found that parents appreciate having one place to go for communication and have seen increased engagement as a result. Additionally, using ParentSquare, you may find that you get more engagement with non-English speaking families due to the live-time translation feature.