Niskayuna Central School District > ParentSquare Communications

ParentSquare Communications

The district uses ParentSquare to enhance communication with staff, families and the community. ParentSquare is a simple and safe way for everyone within the school community to communicate. All users can receive email, text messages and app notifications based on their preferences.

The following FAQs are designed to provide more information about how to activate different accounts and set message preferences.

How do I activate my account?

Parents/guardians/caregivers

Parents/guardians/caregivers are automatically connected to ParentSquare but must activate their accounts to receive text messages, app notifications and voice calls through the system.

To activate your account, go to ParentSquare and on the right side of the screen in the “Sign Up/Create Password” area, enter the email address or cell phone number that you have on file with the school. 

Staff

District employees are automatically connected to ParentSquare but must activate their accounts to receive text messages, app notifications and voice calls through the system. To activate your account, go to ParentSquare, click sign-in with Google, and use the same district credentials (username/password) that you use for ClassLink, email and all other district services.

Community

Follow these steps to receive messages from the district through the “Niskayuna Public Community Group” in ParentSquare: 

  1. Visit the ParentSquare community page and enter your name and email address, select “Niskayuna Public Community Group” and click “Submit.”
  2. You will receive an email from ParentSquare to activate your account. Click on the link that says, “Activate Your Account” in the email.
  3. This will bring you to a screen where you will need to establish a password and accept the terms and conditions. After those are done, click “Register.” 
  4. This will bring you to a screen where you will need to verify that the account information is your own. To verify, click “Yes, This is Me.” You will again be asked to verify that you would like to move forward.
  5. This will bring you to the home page where posts/messages from the district will be displayed. Your account is active. 

How do I set up my account to receive text messages and/or phone calls?

  1. When you are logged in to ParentSquare, in the top right hand corner of the page, click on your name and then “My Account.”
  2. Click “Edit” toward the top right side of the page. In the middle of the screen, click “Add Phone” and your phone number. 
  3. A verification code will be sent to your phone. Enter the code where prompted and click “Confirm” and save.

How do I get the Niskayuna ParentSquare app set up on my phone? 

The ParentSquare app is available for Apple and Android devices. After downloading the app, log in to ParentSquare using the email address or cell phone that the district has on file for you.

For help configuring these notifications, please reference the type of device you have below:

What message preferences are available? 

ParentSquare allows users to customize notifications based on the type of message received and the timing of messages. Users can choose to receive email, text message or app notifications through ParentSquare. Phone calls will only be utilized in an emergency situation.

Type of Message

You can choose to receive any or all of these message types through ParentSquare

  • Emails
  • Text Messages
  • App Notifications

Note: You would only receive a phone call in an emergency situation.

Timing of the Message

For each of the three message types listed above, you can select the timing of when you receive the messages in the following way: 

  • OFF: You will never receive this message type. For example, you turn off text messages because you get app notifications.
  • INSTANT: You receive all messages as soon as they are sent.
  • DIGEST: You receive all messages in a single notice at 6 p.m. each evening.

Note: You will not miss an urgent/emergency message if you select this because those types of messages are set to override the digest setting.

Select Preference 

  1. When you are logged in to ParentSquare, in the top right hand corner of the page, click on your name and then “My Account.”
  2. On the right side of the page, in the area that says “Notification Settings,” click “Customize Your Settings” 
  3. This will bring you to a page that will allow you to turn your settings for Email, App Notifications and Text Messages (if enabled) to either OFF, INSTANT or DIGEST, as defined above.

What happens if I do not activate my ParentSquare account? 

You will receive emails from the district at the email address we have on file for you, but you will not receive text messages, app notifications or any phone calls and will not be able to customize any of the message settings as outlined in this FAQ.

I am not receiving any messages from ParentSquare. What should I do? 

Parents/Caregivers/Guardians

Please contact the main office of your child’s school to be sure we have the correct contact information on file for you.

Staff

Please email techsupport@niskyschools.org.