Embedded Files
Parent Square is a program that allows the district, schools, and teachers to efficiently communicate with families and other district employee groups. It is the primary resource to manage digital communication between schools/teachers and families for CMCSS. The application is available through Classlink. Parent Square syncs with Power School to provide teachers with the most up-to-date rosters for efficient and effective communication.
Who Uses Parent Square?
Who Uses Parent Square?
District Leaders to Employees and Families
School Administrators to Employees and Families
Classroom Teachers to Families and Colleagues
Group Leaders to Families of Group Members
Why CMCSS Uses Parent Square
Why CMCSS Uses Parent Square
One Platform for District and School Communication – Emails, texts, app notifications, phone calls all in one place and with consistency across user groups.
Emergency Ready – Urgent alerts can be sent immediately to all guardians and staff.
Ease of Use for Families –Guardians control when, how, and in what language non-emergency messages are received. Guardians can easily message teachers, access newsletters, and sign forms or permission slips.
Ease of Use for Teachers – Teachers can control when, how and to what groups messages are sent, view delivery receipts, set time boundaries, deploy permission slips or sign up sheets, and share class newsletters, photos, and information.
How to Access Parent Square
How to Access Parent Square
*Parent Access - If you are a parent trying to access Parent Square, please visit https://www.cmcss.net/parentsquare/ for up-to-date information and directions.
Teacher Access with Classlink
Teachers will access Parent Square by logging in to Classlink and clicking the Parent Square icon.
Teacher Access with Mobile App
Teachers can download the Parent Square mobile app from their mobile device App Store. See link to video below for mobile app overview.
Getting Started with Parent Square
Getting Started with Parent Square
Navigating the Teacher Dashboard
View this short training video created by Parent Square for a comprehensive look at navigating the teacher dashboard and accessing general teacher resources.
Types of Messages
Types of Messages
View the video above for a general description of each message type.
There are three basic types of messages that can be sent.
Post
Direct Message
Group Conversation
Use special care when determining which type of message to send to ensure it reaches the desired recipients with the appropriate privacy level.
View the video above for directions on sending POSTS.
POSTS
Use a POST to send information to the guardians of a group, class, or school.
Recipient names and responses are only visible to the sender.
Great way to share newsletters, and upcoming events!
Direct Messages & Group Conversations
Direct Messages & Group Conversations
View the video below for directions on sending both DIRECT MESSAGES and GROUP CONVERSATIONS.
DIRECT MESSAGES
Direct messages are best for private conversational messages.
When sent to groups, it creates private and separate conversations with each recipient.
Recipients can NOT see or respond to other recipients.
Great way to share somewhat sensitive information, such as missing assignments or permission slips.
GROUP CONVERSATIONS
Used rarely and with CAUTION
Use Group Conversations to communicate to a group - much like a texting group chat.
Every participant can see and communicate with every other member.
Once created, a teacher can't delete the conversation. If a teacher leaves the conversation, participants can still message each other.
Group conversations might be used for a committee or volunteer group to plan and manage an event.
Great Ways to Use Parent Square
Great Ways to Use Parent Square
Directions, for these features and many more, can be found within Parent Square! Check out the '?' at the top of each page for Help Articles specific to the section in which you are currently working.
Parent Square - Zen Desk (Help Desk)
Parent Square - Zen Desk (Help Desk)
Parent Square has a fantastic collection of Help Articles called the Zen Desk. Wherever you may be in the platform, a question mark is located in the upper right. The help articles are grouped by user and section. A convenient search box is available to provide you with on the spot assistance. Users must be logged into Parent Square to access the Help Articles.
Direct Link to the Parent Square Zen Desk
Tech Tip Videos
Tech Tip Videos
See below for all CMCSS Tech Tip Tuesday Videos that have been created for Parent Square!
Updated: 9/22/25 TH
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