ISTE 2017 Coverage

SchoolMessenger App Adds Attendance and Student Data Options

• By Leila Meyer
• 06/27/17

West Corp., the maker of SchoolMessenger software suite, has released a new mobile and web app designed to streamline communication between school and home. It replaces the previous InfoCenter app, while adding functionality.

The SchoolMessenger app is available as a free download for iOS and Android devices, and as a browser-based app. Parents can use it to chat with teachers and school groups, exchange pictures and videos, and receive school notifications.

Key features of the SchoolMessenger app include:

• Secure one-to-one messaging between parents and teachers;
• Group chats between parents and teachers or school groups;
• Picture and video exchange between teachers and parents;
• Scrollable stream view of SchoolMessenger Communicate school and district notifications, as well as other messages; and
• File sharing for homework assignments, permission slips and other documents.

Two optional add-on modules are also available. The SafeArrival module lets schools and parents share student attendance information, whether it's the parent notifying the school of an absence or the school checking on the reason for an absence. The Plus module lets parents view detailed student data, such as grades, lunch balances and absences.

Mobile devices will automatically update from InfoCenter to SchoolMessenger if automatic updates are enabled on the device. Districts using SchoolMessenger CustomApp will gain access to the new SchoolMessenger app functionality for their custom mobile apps.

West is demonstrating the new SchoolMessenger app at booth 3026 of the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) conference in San Antonio, TX, June 25-28.

Further information about the new SchoolMessenger app can be found on the SchoolMessenger site.