Whether you are using your SchoolStatus mobile app or your computer, we recommend sending this Broadcast FIRST to all of your parents before making individual calls or texts.
Send THIS as your first Broadcast Message to parents.
We've found a helpful trick to encourage parents to recognize your number- and be more responsive. When it’s time to contact parents for the first time, they will not recognize your number (since we are masking it, for your privacy), and if they don't respond, they will see a new number each time.
When you get to the panel that asks you to compose your message, type this in and send it:
"This is (your name), your child’s teacher. Please reply Y and save me as a contact, so that you will know it is me when I contact you."
Expect lots of Y's in return! Then, follow up by sending a second message with additional content.
Why do we recommend this?
- SchoolStatus uses a proxy number, so parents won't ever see your actual number. When the parent replies to you, this "locks in" the number they see, so they will see your messages in a thread.
- When they save you as a contact, they are more likely to know it is you when you call or text.
What will parents get?
- When you send your first message, parents will actually get three things:
- A generic message from us, saying: This msg is from (your name) at (your district). Msgs via SchoolStatus use standard text msgs from your mobile plan. Respond with STOP to block this conversation. Respond with INFO to receive a contact card for this contact;
- A "v-card", if they respond with INFO, which is a contact card they can save; and
- Your first message.
Want to send Broadcast messages to a select group of parents, like those who are Spanish-speaking?
Check out this article about creating groups of students you, or watch Jay's how-to video about Broadcast Messaging here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Contacts must be marked with the Star on the Student Card Contacts page in order to receive the Broadcast. For detailed instructions on how to mark stars on contacts read the article How To Star Preferred Contacts.
Send a Broadcast Text Message or Email on the web
Broadcast Messaging allows a user to send out a single text message or email to multiple parents at once. Responses come back as private 1:1 conversations, so other parents will not see those conversations.
Step 1: Click Broadcast from the bottom right of the screen
Step 2: Click +New Message, the orange button
Step 3: Select your audience
You can select your audience in three ways: You can send a message to A Class, to A Student Group, or to Individual Contacts you select. Note that there is no way to save the audience, so if you will need to send a message to a custom group of parents, we recommend creating a Student Group that you can select.
**Note: Sending as an email goes to all contacts with an email address in SchoolStatus. There are no "preferred" email addresses in SchoolStatus.
Broadcast to a Student Group
Click A Student Group, if you know you have a group set up already. Select group(s). Hit the "+" sign next to the groups you wish to message. You can select more than one group. When you have selected the group or groups you wish to message, click Next.
Broadcast to a Course
Select A Class if you want to send a message to a classroom. Then select the teacher- type in your own name, or that of an educator you want to communicate on behalf- and select the term the class falls under. Click the "+" sign next to the courses you wish to message. You can select more than one course. When you have selected the courses you wish to message, click Next.
Broadcast to Individual Parent Contacts
Choose Individual Contacts as your audience, and a list of students will appear. Click a student from the list or type any student's name to select that student. Click the arrow > to the far right to view their Contacts. Click the + on the right of the contact. As you click the blue + it will turn to a red -. You can click the red - to remove the contact from the message. Click NEXT.
Step 4: Review your audience
This panel shows you the total number of contacts you've selected for this message. If you wish to add more, you can click Previous or +Add Recipients.
Step 5: Type your message and add one .jpg or .png attachment
Type your message into the box. We recommend this for your first message:
"This is (your name), your child’s teacher. Please reply Y and save me as a contact, so that you will know it is me when I contact you."
If you wish to add an attachment, click the paper clip icon to add a photo or screenshot (must be .jpg or .png format). When you have finished typing your message and adding your attachment, to send your message, click Send as Email OR Send as Message.
**Note: Sending as an email goes to all contacts with an email address in SchoolStatus. There are no "preferred" email addresses in SchoolStatus.
How to Send a Broadcast Message on Mobile
For starters, you must have the SchoolStatus Mobile app installed and updated to Version 2.2 or higher. For the iPhone, click here. For Android, click here. You'll also need to confirm that your students all have at least one Preferred Contact marked with a star to receive the message.
Create a new Broadcast
Create a new Broadcast Message by clicking Broadcast on the bottom of the screen and then the + sign in the upper right of the screen.
You can choose a Course, Group, or Contacts to send your broadcast. Notice the line about only going to preferred contacts. Those are the ones with a STAR by their name.
Send Messages to a Course
If you select a Course, you will need to choose the teacher for that course, even if that teacher is you. Then, chose the term the course is in.
The next panel is a review of your audience. Notice that it will always say "Sending to 19 contacts", or however many parents have been starred for your students. This number will usually be 1-2 times higher than your student count. You can add more people by going to the previous screen and following the instructions below. If you are ready, tap Next to begin typing your message.
Type your message, add one attachment (.jpg or .png), and then hit the Send icon! We recommend this for your first message:
"This is (your name), your child’s teacher. Please reply Y and save me as a contact, so that you will know it is me when I contact you."
Send Messages to Student Groups
Tap on A Student Group
Use the + to choose the group/s you want to send a message to and then tap Next.
Then, as you did above, you can review recipients and move on to creating your message.
Send Messages to Multiple Individual Contacts
Tap on Individual Contacts
Choose the parents or guardians you want to contact.
You can continue to add new recipients. Note that these do not need to be "Starred Contacts."
To learn more about Starred Contacts, click here.
Notifications
Depending on your settings, notifications can come in various ways. Here are the examples:
Apple Watch Push Notification:
iPhone Push Notification:
Icon Indicator:
If someone replies to your broadcast message, you will be able to see the replies under 'Messages'. Replies go 1:1 and show in bold.
View Replies on Mobile
Open either iPhone or Android app. I’m displaying the iPhone version. Tap on the message icon to display your messages.
You can open and reply to messages on mobile even if the broadcast was sent on the web.
Click here to return to the main menu - or ask for help!