School Apps – Features to improve communications and engagement
Push Notifications are one of the most important tools in your Mobile App. With an app, you will have access and the ability to send out unlimited Push Notifications to all of your users, keeping them informed about everything at your school.
Through the app you will have the ability to send out information in time-sensitive blasts or in the form of a gentle reminder of an upcoming event. Whatever the reason, parents love staying connected and informed about the school their kids go to, as it gives them the opportunity to participate.
To save time and energy you can schedule notifications to go out all by themselves when the right time comes. The great thing is you don’t have to make any compromises as you can both set scheduled notifications and still have the ability to send out random ones…unlimited. This is your most powerful tool for getting the message out and schools everywhere have realized it and are using it for everything!
Some examples of how push notifications are used:
We still need a few volunteers to help w/ the Fall Carnival. Sign-up for a small shift to make a big difference! {link to Sign-up Genius}
Don’t forget NO SCHOOL on Monday AND Tuesday! Have a great weekend & see you for full day on Wednesday!
Our Jog-a-Thon is in full swing w/ a goal of $24,000 to help science. See our online resources to help meet our goal! {link to website}
Think of your school’s app as an information hub like no other. Our apps are a consolidation of your school’s website plus the District website, add in social media, custom features, forms and more….your school’s app is the most convenient and powerful resource available. Plus the app is made easier to navigate and with all the most useful information. Anything parents on the go need, from school announcements all the way up to district events, all information has to be easy to access and available all the time.
Bell Schedule – If you aren’t sure what time “pick me up after my third period class” means no problem. Check the bell schedule and know how to schedule appointments and plan your day.
District Website/Calendars – Have easiest access to all of the important dates throughout the year. Holidays, breaks, minimum days, track changes and MORE!
Lunch Menus – Trying to find the lunch menu in the middle of a busy morning is a nightmare we’ve all been through. Our apps put the menu right on your phone, so with a couple taps your lunch making dilemmas are solved!
Newsletter Sign Ups – Parents, students, and sponsors can all be up to date with periodic newsletters, outlining everything that is going on and how they can get involved. It’s a great way to build school spirit and community!
Sponsors can be listed and their contributions recognized in an effort to inspire more sponsors and bring attention to problem areas where the school needs help. It’s a great way to show the kids how giving back helped them during their time in school, and instill in them the same values.
Sharing information between parents should be absolutely simple and only take a moment. If they happen to run into one another and need to share something about school, or remind each other of an upcoming event, it’s as simple as sharing the App. Share the app though Facebook and get them to show their friend in town. You know what they say, “It takes a village!”
School events are also often shrugged off by parents who know little about what the event is for and how much work it took to put it together. Handing out notices for students to take home just clutters your kitchen and gets lost in the shuffle. With an app parents will have instant and direct access to all events, which can be put up weeks and even months in advance. You can even map out all the year’s events and fundraisers at the start of the year, setting up automatic reminders to go out promoting the event as it come up! Through an app you can bring the parents and sponsors much attention to why the event was set up and where the school needs funding or support.
Selling event tickets to students is manageable, but even then it’s something usually reserved for lunch time, the only time of the day that you have everyone in one general area, and it doesn’t interfere with class time and learning. Selling tickets to parents and sponsors is another challenge altogether. Even with emails, notes home, or asking students to buy it on their behalf, it usually comes down to selling tickets at the door.
The problem is getting the parent or sponsor committed to coming to the door, something a ticket does easily. With a ticket there is a commitment, just the simple idea that not going would be a waste of something you physically have. Through the app parents and sponsors can now pay for and reserve tickets, as well as check in to the event when they get there, automatically sharing it with all their friends.
Spirit Wear – Selling school apparel and fundraising!
Turn every event into a theme and get everyone excited! School booster clubs and the school apparel stores are loving this feature as they can now have a mobile store that teaches students how to run an effective business. Any type of payment processor can be integrated, or a new one set up. We will show you how other schools have done it and what worked best so that you are prepared and able to use this feature to its ultimate potential.
Parent/Teacher Group Meetings – Getting parents to show up!
Make Parent Group meetings more accessible by scheduling them out through the year and sending out reminders as the meeting approaches. Get more parents involved and include agenda information, meeting minutes, feedback forms, and more!