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ParentSquare For Families

ParentSquare is District 196’s primary communication tool for school and district updates, including messages from your child's school and emergency, transportation, and attendance communications.

 

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School Communication

  • RSVP for events/activities
  • Complete permission slips
  • Add events to a calendar
  • Ask questions on posts
  • Privately message teachers/staff
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Emergency Notifications

Urgent alerts are sent through all contact methods—app, text, email, and phone call to ensure timely delivery. These messages override individual notification preferences.

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Transportation & Attendance

Attendance messages and transportation updates, such as bus delays or cancellations, are delivered through ParentSquare. 

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Activities & Athletics 

Families communicate with coaches and receive notifications for updates or schedule changes. 

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Make ParentSquare Work for You

With a few quick steps, you can customize ParentSquare to fit your family’s needs and make sure you receive important information when it matters most.

1. Register and Sign In

Sign in using the email address or phone number on file with your school; it must match our records to connect you to your student.
 

You can access ParentSquare through the ParentSquare app or online at www.parentsquare.com. Being logged in allows you to:

  • Complete forms and permission slips
  • Sign up for activities and field trips
  • Message teachers and staff
  • Participate in two-way conversations by commenting on posts

2. Choose How and When You Get Notifications

To stay informed without feeling overwhelmed, we recommend these settings for most families. You can adjust these options anytime in Notification Settings. We recommend:

💬 Text - Digest: A text and/or an app notification once a day in the evening with all posts from that day.

📰 Email/App - Digest: One daily summary after 5:00 p.m. with school and classroom updates.

🔔 Urgent, time-sensitive messages like school closings are sent immediately. This setting is automatic and cannot be disabled.

Learn more about notification settings (View video in Spanish)


If you think you may be missing messages, please check the following:

  • App: Confirm notifications are enabled for the ParentSquare app in your phone settings.
  • Text: If you previously texted STOP, text START to 66458. Also, check that 66458 isn’t blocked on your phone.
  • Email: Check your spam or junk folder and make sure your email address on file is correct.

If issues persist, contact helpdesk@district196.org.

3. Connect With Teachers and School Staff 

ParentSquare makes communication easy and organized.

  • Use the Directory to find teachers, principals, coaches, office staff, and more. 
  • Send Direct Messages (DMs) for questions or follow-ups.
  • Engage with posts to ask questions and get quick responses from staff (A ❤️ or 👍 is also a great way to show appreciation!).

 

 

Account Language & Notification Settings

Configuración de la cuenta + de idioma y notificaciones

Send Messages to Teachers and Staff

Enviar mensajes a los maestros

StudentSquare: How It Works With ParentSquare (Grades 9–12)

High school students use StudentSquare to receive announcements, reminders, and school information. Students can access StudentSquare through the StudentSquare app or online at studentsquare.com. This helps students stay informed and build independence, while parents continue to use ParentSquare to receive updates, message staff, and complete forms and permission slips.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Helpful Handouts