Written by Jennifer Dunn
Changelog is a roundup of what we’ve released in the last month! Here’s what was changed in February:
1. ADA Compliant ParentSquare RSS Widget
Do you want to share some of your ParentSquare posts on your website but not quite happy with the limited ParentSquare widget? We have now built a new website widget that is ADA compliant (color contrast, audio description, keyboard navigation) and allows you to harmonize your website aesthetic (custom colors, sizing capabilities, font). You can even specify your own custom css!
2. Now Preview Your Post Notifications on Email, Text, or Mobile App
Want to see how your post will appear in email, text, or app notification? You can now send a test. To send test notifications, create your Post as normal and select “Preview”. On the preview page at the top, click “Send me a test” to trigger test notifications. If you have added your email and phone in your ParentSquare account and have downloaded the app, you will receive all notifications.
Your post will be saved as a draft until you are ready to send to your community.
3. Districts Can Now Request Payments
Payments are now supported at the district level! You can request payments on a Post sent from the district. All payment processing is completed through Stripe. Here’s how to get started:
- On the Add Ons page, scroll down to Payments and turn Payments ON
- Once enabled, click “Payment Accounts” in the sidebar, and link/create your Stripe Account
- You are now ready to accept payments via a ParentSquare Post (see screenshot below)
Learn more about our Payments feature here.
4. School Directory Redesign
This is the year we will be improving existing features in ParentSquare. Yay! The first one to get a quick makeover is School Directory. We provided better navigation and optimized for speed which will be readily apparent to our larger schools. For all of our schools, the directory is now organized alphabetically by last name and includes the complete list of school staff (including teachers). Admin, staff, teachers, and schools with a public parent directory can click to view the directory for a specific grade level or class from the right. We are currently incorporating all the feedback we are receiving so please write to us and expect some more changes 🙂
PS Admin can learn how to manage the school directory here.
5. Click To Join the Parentsquare Learning Network
Click on the “?” in the top right corner to learn and discuss how to involve parents in new topics emerging in education as part of our ParentSquare Learning Network.
6. Improved Parentsquare Website Navigation on Mobile Browser
Visitors of the ParentSquare website on the mobile phone (mostly text users following a web link on their text), can now quickly access their child’s notices, classes and other pages by tapping on their child’s name from the bar menu.
7. Disable a User
You can now reach out to ParentSquare Support to disable a user’s log in. The user will still receive notifications but will not be able to log in to their account or send a direct message.
8. Mobile App Updates
The mobile apps on iOS and Android have been updated to reflect the directory changes and make payments on a district post. Other changes include:
- Users can now un-appreciate a post
- Post attachments now support other file types (besides photos and videos)
- Performance improvements on Android App
Want to know more? Please reach out!
If you are a ParentSquare user, you can login to ParentSquare and click the “Help & Support” icon to connect! You can also get a deeper dive into these new features by looking at our “What’s New” page in ParentSquare.
If you’re not a customer and want to take a closer look, please contact us to organize a live walk-through of these features or any other functionality.
