When you sign in to ParentSquare, your main feed shows Posts. Another way to communicate is by Messages (also called Direct Messages), meant for communicating with one or a few individuals. ParentSquare allows parents to send a message to a teacher or school staff member. Some schools allow parents to message other parents.
You will receive a notification from your child's school when a message is sent to you. You can choose how you want to receive notifications: by text, email and/or app notification. You do not have to be logged in or have a registered account to receive notifications. However, when you are logged in to ParentSquare, you can view messages for each of your children's schools within one account.
View Messages
View Messages Using Web Browser
- Check school name at top left and if you need to switch schools, click Switch School and select the school.

- From Home, select Messages on the left.
- The middle column displays active conversations. It displays name(s) and the beginning of the message. Click a message to see the entire message. Use the scroll bar to see the full conversation. New and unread message threads are at the top of your feed.
- Click the "i" to see other members in a group conversation.
Click the printer to print the conversation.
Click the trash can to delete the entire conversation. Note: this deletes it from your account only, and not for the other members of the conversation.

View Messages Using Mobile App
- Check school name at top and if you need to switch schools, tap menu icon (three bars) at top left, select Schools, then specific school.
- Tap Messages icon at the bottom.

- The most recent message received in a conversation, and the name(s) of the people in the conversation are displayed. Tap the message to see the entire conversation.

- Tap the "i" to see more information, including a list of all people in the conversation and any photos or attachments.

Send a Message
Send a Message Using a Web Browser
- If you are messaging a teacher, be sure you are viewing the appropriate school. To switch schools, click Switch School at top left and select the school.
- From Home, select Messages in left sidebar.

- Click New Message then select Direct Message or Group Conversation.
| Direct Message |
Create a separate conversation for each recipient. Like BCCs in email, each person sees only messages from you. |
| Group Conversation |
Create one conversation for everyone. Like CCs in email, each person sees messages from others in the group. |

- Search by name, or click Add by Quick Select to see a list of recipients.

To add recipients in the Recipients field, enter the first 3 or more letters of the recipient's name (or their child's name) and select the intended recipient. Add additional recipients as needed.
- Type your Message.
- (Optional) Click paper clip icon to attach a photo or file or the microphone icon to record a voice clip.
- Click Send. Message will be sent immediately.
Send a Message Using the Mobile App
- Check school name at top and if you need to switch schools, tap menu icon (three bars) at top left, select Schools, then specific school.
- Tap Messages at the bottom.
- Tap the + (plus icon) at top.

- Select Direct Message or Group Conversation.
| Direct Message |
Create a separate conversation for each recipient. Like BCCs in email, each person sees only messages from you. |
| Group Conversation |
Create one conversation for everyone. Like CCs in email, each person sees messages from others in the group. |

- Tap on the name(s) in the quick select list, then tap Add at the top.

- Type your message in the New Message field.
- Tap the paper clip to attach photos or files.
- Tap Send. Message will be sent immediately.

React to a Message
React to a Message You Receive – with an Emoji!
Let others know you received their message with a simple emoji reaction. When you receive a Direct Message you can react with an emoji (thumbs up, heart and smile) - and you can use more than one. This works on private and group messages. For more, see the help article or watch a video here.
- In a web browser, select a message, then click the reaction icon and choose an emoji.
- Select a reaction: thumbs up, heart or smile. Repeat to add more than one.

Mobile App:
- In the mobile app, tap on a message to view, then tap the reaction icon. Note: If you don't see the reaction icon, long press on the message.
- Select a reaction: thumbs up, heart or smile. Repeat to add more than one.

Reply to a Message
Reply to a Message Received via Email
- When you see this message, "You can also reply to this email," you can reply in your email program. You do not need to sign in to ParentSquare to reply.

- If "Reply via Email" has been disabled, you will need to click View or Reply button to respond.
Note: Do not click "Reply" in your email client software; it will be sent to "donotreply@parentsqare.com" (and not seen by anyone).

Reply to a Message Received via Text
- You can reply by SMS when you receive a message without logging in to ParentSquare
- If your school has disabled the “Reply by SMS” option, you will need to click on the link in the text message to reply. Note: do not reply directly to the text; you will receive an error message that says “Could not send message”.

Reply to a Message Received via App Notification
- Tap the app notification to open the ParentSquare app. Follow the instructions above, View Messages Using Mobile App, to locate the conversation and respond.
