Why Schools Still Struggle With Communication Problems
Halloween is all about chills and thrills, but when it comes to school-home communication, no one wants to be left in the dark.
From vanishing permission slips to ghosted messages, some school communication problems are just plain spooky. But with ParentSquare, schools can cast out these haunting dilemmas and replace confusion with clarity.
In this blog, we’ll share the spine-chilling challenges of five spooky communication situations that might sound all too familiar—and how you can bust these ghosts with solutions from ParentSquare.
1. The mystery of the lost permission slip
Problem: You hand out forms Friday, but by Monday, they’ve vanished into the eternal depths of students’ backpacks.
Solution: Digital forms, permission slips, and RSVPs
Stop the search for missing paperwork: ParentSquare keeps all of your classroom forms in one accessible place. It’s simple to notify parents when a form is created, and automatic reminders make meeting paperwork deadlines easier than ever. Parents can fill out forms right from their phone, and student and parent information is automatically populated to help save time.
2. The phantom message
Problem: You send important updates to families, but they seem to disappear into thin air, leaving you wondering if your message even made it through at all.
Solution: Read receipts and delivery confirmation
Know your message has made it to the other side—no crystal ball required. When a message is sent on ParentSquare, the status updates to “Sent” and a timestamp is posted. When a message is viewed in ParentSquare or the notification is opened, the status will update to “Read,” confirming to staff that families have received all important updates.
3. The class party catastrophe
Problem: Having multiple sign-up sheets for the class party or Trunk-or-Treat fundraiser can lead to party-time pandemonium: not enough volunteers, too many parents brought the same item, and no one brought any plates for the treats!
Solution: Digital sign-ups for volunteers and supplies
ParentSquare makes planning school events a treat, not a trick. From organizing and requesting sign-ups or RSVPs to gathering feedback and conducting surveys, the possibilities are endless with our classroom communications tools. Easily recruit volunteers and request parent donations when you create a post. Plus, automatic reminders help boost parent turnout at events.
4. The nightmare field trip
Problem: You’re trying to load the bus for a field trip, but you’re trapped in a logistical nightmare of forgotten lunches, mixed-up chaperone schedules, and lost checks for fees.
Solution: Forms and permission slips and ParentSquare Pay
ParentSquare makes sure everyone is on the same page (and bus). Set up Smart Alerts to send timely alert messages and short parent reminders so everyone shows up on time with everything they need for a field trip filled with fun and learning. Add in ParentSquare Pay and virtual permission slips, and you can make sure you’ll never get caught in this nightmare again!
5. The missing email
Problem: Like a maze of mirrors in a haunted house, your important announcements and updates somehow get lost in families’ overflowing inboxes. Where’s the exit, anyway?
Solution: Posts and social media sharing
Bring all your important updates to light by sharing them on a single unified platform. Posts let staff share non-urgent updates that include attachments and important links, and parents can engage directly when comments and reactions are enabled. Along with sharing posts via text, email, and app, make sure families never miss an important announcement by automatically posting to your social media feeds as well.
Don’t be haunted by school communication problems!
ParentSquare’s unified school communication platform helps students, staff, and families stay connected, lifting the curse caused by using disparate tools. Family engagement doesn’t have to be scary when every message, form, and reminder lives in one place.
See how ParentSquare can make your school communication problems disappear for good. Book a demo today.
FAQs about solving school communication problems
What are the most common school communication problems?
Common challenges include missing messages, lost permission slips, inconsistent parent engagement, and scattered tools.
How can ParentSquare help schools improve communication?
ParentSquare unifies all school-home communication, so every family receives messages, forms, and reminders—on time and in one place.