I have received numerous questions related to ParentSquare, our new 2-way communication platform.

Q: What is ParentSquare?
A: It's a communication tool that combines multiple communication streams into one easy-to-use interface for families and schools to communicate with each other.

Q: When did Alvord switch to ParentSquare?
A: We began transitioning from BlackBoard Connect to ParentSquare during the 2021-22 school year. We utilized both systems until the school year ended.

Q: Why did Alvord switch to ParentSquare?

A: ParentSquare streamlines communication and parent engagement efforts across all schools and works seamlessly with our student information system Aeries. It's easy to use and 100% parent-friendly. See a 3-minute overview below.

Q: How is it different from Aeries?
A: ParentSquare is the communication system within Aeries. Aeries is a Student Information System (SIS) and is used by parents and students to register for school, check grades, data confirmation, update contact information, check attendance, and more.

Q: Do I have to update my contact information in ParentSquare?

A: No. Update contact information in Aeries. ParentSquare will be automatically updated.

Q: Will all schools and the District office use Parent Square?

A: Yes. It will be the primary communication tool.

Q: Do I have to register or activate Parent Square?

A: ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent and student, using the primary email address and phone number in Aeries. However, to activate two-way communications and utilize Parent Square to its fullest, sign up here.

Q: What can parents do with ParentSquare?

A: Examples:

• Choose to receive messages via email, text, and/or mobile app notification
• Two-way texting with translation between staff and families
• Choose to receive information as it comes, or all at once at 6 pm daily
• Communicate in your preferred language
• Direct message teachers and staff through a secure and private interface
• Participate in group messages
• Complete forms, permission slips, and other necessary documents
• Clear student absences

Q: Is ParentSquare for students too?

A: Yes. It's the primary tool to communicate with students too.

Q: Can I have all messages and notifications texted to me?

A: Yes. You can receive communication from the district, school and classroom by text, or by email, or on the mobile app, or by all three (see the image below to choose notification settings).

Q: What happens if I switch notifications to off?
A: You will have to visit the ParentSquare website to retrieve messages. Notifications should remain on to ensure no critical or emergency communications are missed.

Q: What happens if I switch notifications to Instant?
A: You will be sent the message when it is posted by the sender.

Q: What happens if I switch notifications to Digest?
A: Digest is the default setting. You will be sent all messages at approximately 6 pm each day. Mass notifications from the District, such as my weekly message and Round-Up are sent at 6 pm, but could take up to 10-20 minutes to arrive depending on network traffic since it's sent to well over 20,000 users.

Q: Does ParentSquare generate phone calls?

A: Yes. The same system will be used to communicate by voice.

Q: Does ParentSquare have a mobile app?

A: Yes. Download it here for iPhones and here for other mobile devices.

Q: How can I learn more about ParentSquare?
A: Find tips below. Once you have activated your account and are logged in, find a comprehensive FAQ at https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/203058006-Parents

On behalf of the Board of Education, we believe transparent and frequent communication acts as a bridge to parent engagement and ultimately student success. We look forward to optimizing ParentSquare to further strengthen that bridge. Activate your ParentSquare account today.

Stay healthy. Be well.

In partnership,

Allan Mucerino

Data for the week ending Friday, June 24:

Reported a Positive Test:

• 5 students (down from 8 previous week)
• 7 staff members (up from 6 the previous week)

Contact Tracing:

• 24 people identified (down from 80 the previous week)
• 1 placed in full quarantine (down from 5 the previous week)

Overall, as of June 24, including the entire 2021-22 school year, we have had 3,463 students and 463 staff members report a positive test for COVID-19. Stay current with our case rate by regularly tracking our COVID-19 Data Dashboard and FAQ here. Cases recorded on the Dashboard are confirmed by Riverside County Public Health officials and remain on the Dashboard for 14 days.

During the week ending June 24, in Riverside County, there were 2,210 new cases (0.4% increase), equating to 27.2 cases per 100K (7-day average), 2 new deaths (0.1% increase), and a 15.6% test positivity (7-day rate), which is a 2.0% increase from 7-days prior. Since many people are now testing at home with antigen rapid tests, the positivity rate is estimated to be much higher since all cases are not reported. There are currently 133 COVID-19 hospitalized patients, 7 more patients hospitalized from prior day total (5.6% increase).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Community Level COVID-19 rating system, the community level in Riverside County has risen from Low to Medium for the first time since the color-coded system was introduced in March, 2022. Learn what a Medium Level means here.

The Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

This data is as of June 24, 2022, as reported on the State's tracking web site.