ParentSquare
Why are we doing this?
The ‘F’ Family and Community Connected pillar in our ACS F.I.R.S.T. strategic plan asks that we “use a multi-faceted approach to clear and consistent communication with families to ensure they receive information and feel welcome at school and corporation events.”
To help support this initiative, we applied for and received a grant from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). This grant provides financial support to the district to ensure the successful implementation of a district-wide communications tool.
Since being awarded the grant, an internal working group at the administration building, in consultation with the Anderson Federation of Teachers (AFT), worked to identify a communications tool that will best support this objective in our strategic plan.
After months of research, it was decided by the internal working group that ParentSquare was the best communications tool for our district. More information about ParentSquare can be found in the dropdown menus below.
Information for Teachers and Staff
Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, ACS will use ParentSquare for mass and classroom communications.
About ParentSquare
ParentSquare is a unified communication platform that offers a whole host of tools which allows district, school administrators, and teachers to more effectively communicate and engage with families and students. Some features include:
- Mass notifications and urgent alerts with two-way communication
- Mobile application for administrators and parents (iOS and Android)
- Attendance notifications
- Teacher and classroom communication
- Direct messaging with two-way translation
- Forms and permission slips
- Appointment sign-ups (parent-teacher conferences, technology pick-ups)
- Calendar and RSVP
- Volunteering and classroom supply sign-ups
- StudentSquare - to allow students (grades 7-12) to communicate with teachers and coaches
- And so much more!
Accessing ParentSquare
- Check your inbox for an email from ParentSquare.
- Click the link in the email to activate your account.
- You can use ParentSquare on any device.
- You can download the free mobile app for iOS or Android and you can also use it from a computer at parentsquare.com.
- Parents can also download the app.
- Have questions? Contact your building principal, ParentSquare lead, or Kasey Cope (Pre-K - 5), Joe Melo (Grades 6-8), and Rissi Scott (Grades 9-12).
Parents will receive an activation email for their ParentSquare account. Those who do not register will still receive text, email, and phone notifications. Parents who do create an account can interact by viewing photos, downloading attachments, leaving comments, messaging teachers, signing permission slips and managing their communication settings and preferences.
Information for Families and Students
Anderson Community Schools uses a powerful tool for school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. You should have received an invitation to sign up by email. If not, please contact your child's school office.
This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with ACS. It provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to:
- Send and receive school and class information
- Share pictures and files
- Sign up to volunteer
- and much more . . . all in one centralized place!
All district and school, grade level and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).
Students in grades 7-12 can also download the StudentSquare app to get communications from their teachers and coaches. This is also available on the app store and is free for iOS and Android devices.