ParentSquare for Parents: How to respond to a direct message in Attendance Plus

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOURCE GUIDE?

Reply to Direct Messages from the web browser, mobile app, or email. Messages automatically translate into each participant’s preferred language to support clear, two-way communication. You can also react with emojis, view message history, and manage read-only messages.

• Section 1: Reply via Web Browser
• Section 2: Reply via Mobile App
• Section 3: Reply via Email
• Section 4: Reply via SMS (text)

• Section 5: Emoji Reactions for Direct Messages

   

Include detailed information and any links here. 

• From Home, select Messages in left sidebar. The number next to Messages indicates how many new messages are in your inbox.

• In Messages, you can view your new and previously read messages. 
  • The number in the right corner of each conversation indicates how many replies the thread contains. When there are new replies, the number is highlighted.
  • New and unread message threads are at the top of your feed.
  • Use the Search to find specific conversations.

• Click the conversation to open the thread. Messages will be grouped by date. In the top right, you will see icons for information, printing and deleting threads.

• Type your response in your preferred language. ParentSquare will automatically translate your message into the preferred language of your recipient.
• Click Reply to send the message. Notifications will be sent to the recipient based on their preferences. 

Note: Message history is not accessible if you move to a new school or district.

• From Home, tap Messages at the bottom of the screen.
• Type a recipient's name (3+ characters) or word in Search bar and tap Search. Note: If the keyboard is hiding some of the results, tap Done.

• Tap a conversation to open the message thread.
• Type your response in the message box at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap Send to deliver your reply.

If the notification includes the line, “You can also reply to this email” or “Respond to this group conversation as [your name] by replying to this email.”, you can reply directly to the email to respond to the message. 

• Open the message notification in your email.  Notifications include the sender's name, message content, and options to reply in the app or by email depending on if its a Direct Message or Group Conversation.
• Click Reply in your email platform (Gmail, Outlook, etc.). Note: For Group Conversations, use "reply" (not "reply all").
• Type your message and click Send.

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• Your reply will appear in the ParentSquare conversation thread.

Note: If you see "Please do not reply directly to this email" in your notification, your school has disabled Reply via Email. Please use a web browser or the app to reply. 

• Receive the message notification as a text. Text notifications show the sender's affiliation (district, school, class, group) and last name.
• Reply directly to the text message without clicking any links. Note: Staff members cannot reply via SMS to parents - staff must log in to ParentSquare to reply.
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• Your response appears in the Parent Square conversation thread.  Note: There is no character limit for SMS replies - your full message will be sent.

Note: If you do not have the option to reply to texts, please use a web browser or the app to reply. 

Let others know you received their message with a quick emoji reaction. You can react with thumbs up, heart, or smile emojis for both Direct Messages and Group Conversations.

• Add Reactions on Web Browser
  • From Home, select Messages in left sidebar.
  • Click a conversation and select the reaction icon next to your desired message.

• Select the reaction you want to use: thumbs up, heart, or smile. You can add more than one reaction.

• To remove your reaction, click it again to deselect.
• To see who reacted to your messages, hover your cursor over the reactions to view a list of users.

Add Reactions on Mobile App

• From ParentSquare app, tap Messages at the bottom.
• 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 the reaction you want to use: thumbs up, heart, or smile. You can add more than one reaction.

• To remove your reaction, tap it again.
• To see who reacted to your messages, long press the reactions to view a list of users.

Reaction Notifications

• When you add a reaction, the recipient will receive a notification in ParentSquare. No email or text notification will be sent for reactions.

   

This document was created for Irvine Unified School District by the Information Technology Department.

If you have any questions, submit a new ticket or email us at helpdesk@iusd.org.