Send Direct Messages

Updated December 20, 2025 06:35

Learn how to send Direct Messages, choose between a Direct Message or Group Conversation, add recipients, and attach photos, files, or voice clips. Messages automatically translate into each recipient’s preferred language.

Who can use this?
All signed-in users can use Direct Messages. Who you can send to is determined by your role and school settings, see User Access by Role.

Before getting started

Direct Messages must be enabled for your school.
Admins can contact ParentSquare support to enable Direct Messages.

Choose Direct Message or Group Conversation

Messages can be sent to an individual or multiple recipients. When sending messages, you can choose between two types of conversations:

Direct Message:
- Can be sent to one or more recipients.
- Like BCC in email where each person only sees messages from you. Separate conversation are created for each recipient.
- Best for individual communications where you want privacy between recipients.
Group Conversation
- Creates one conversation for everyone.
- Like CC in email where everyone sees all messages from all participants.
- Best for collaborative discussions where all participants should see the full conversation.

Click Play or watch on Vimeo.

Send a Message

From Web Browser

From Home, select Messages on the left.
Click New Message and select Direct Message or Group Conversation.
To add recipients, use the search box to find individual users by name, email, or phone number. Type at least 3 characters to search or click Add by Quick Select to add recipients. See, Add Recipients with Quick Selects.
Write your Message in your preferred language. ParentSquare automatically translates your message into each recipient's preferred language.
Click the paperclip icon to add photos or files (up to 500MB) or select the Microphone to send a voice recording. See, Add Photos and File Attachments or Add Voice Clips to Messages.
Click Send. Users receive notifications based on their preferences: email, text, app notification, or a combination.
After the message is delivered, it will be marked as Sent.

From Mobile App

From ParentSquare app, tap plus sign at top right. If you tap Messages at the bottom, then tap the plus sign on the next screen.
Select Direct Message or Group Conversation.
Type at least the first 3 characters of recipient's name and tap Search.
Select name, then tap Add at the top.
Type your message. To add photos, video, or a voice clip, tap the paperclip. See, Add Photos and File Attachments or Add Voice Clips to Messages.
When done, tap Send. Users receive notifications based on their preferences: email, text, app notification, or a combination.

Add Recipients with Quick Select

Quick Select lets you choose recipients from your classes, groups, or students without searching for individual names.

From the Web Browser

From Direct Messages or Group Conversation, click Add by Quick Select to the right.
Select Classes or Groups on the left, choose who you want to add (Students, Parents, or Both), and then select one or more classes or groups.
- Classes:
- Groups:
Click Add recipients.
You can continue to add other groups, classes, or people.
Type your Message and click Send. Users receive notifications based on their preferences: email, text, app notification, or a combination.

From the Mobile App

From Direct Messages or Group Conversation, tap People, Classes, or Groups and select the desired recipients.
- People:
- Classes:
- Groups:
Type your Message and click Send. Users receive notifications based on their preferences: email, text, app notification, or a combination.

Quick Select Options Available by Role

Role	What choices appear in Quick Select?
Teacher	People: Students (and their parents) Classes: Any classes they are a teacher or co-teacher Groups: Groups that they own or manage
Parent	People: Teachers for their student's classes Classes: Classes where they are a classroom parent Groups: Groups they own or manage
Teacher's Assistant	People: n/a *unless they also have a teacher role for another class(es) Classes: Classes where they are a teacher assistant Groups: Groups they own or manage
Principal	People: Staff members Classes: Classes where they are a teacher or assistant Groups: Any group in the school
School Admin	People: n/a *unless they also have a teacher or parent role Classes: Classes where they are a teacher or assistant Groups: Any group in the school
School Staff	People: n/a *unless they also have a teacher or parent role Classes: Classes where they are a teacher or assistant Groups: Groups they own or manage
District Admin	People: Principals and other District Admins Classes: Classes where they are a teacher or assistant Groups: Any groups associated directly with the district + groups they own or manage at the school level
District Staff	People: District Admins Classes: Classes where they are a teacher or assistant Groups: Groups they own or manage
Guest	People: n/a Classes: n/a Groups: Groups they own or manage

Add Photos and File Attachments

Attach photos (JPG, PNG), videos (MP4, MOV), and files (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to your messages. Attachments make it easy to share student work or other important documents with families.

Add Attachments from Web Browser

From your Message, click the paperclip icon below the message box to add photos or files.
A file browser window will open. Select one or more files from your computer. You'll see the file name(s) appear in your message as the files upload.
Click Send to deliver your message with attachments. Users receive notifications based on their preferences: email, text, app notification, or a combination.

Add Attachments from Mobile App

From your Message, tap the paperclip icon at the bottom of the screen.
Select Photo, Video, or File to attach content from different sources on your device.
Choose files from your device's photo library, camera, or file system. You'll see thumbnail previews of photos and videos, or file names for documents.
Tap Send to deliver your message with attachments. Users receive notifications based on their preferences: email, text, app notification, or a combination.

Important Note: Attachments can only be viewed in the ParentSquare app or web browser (not in email or SMS notifications).

Add Voice Clips

You can personalize a Direct Message or Group Conversation by adding a voice clip (up to two minutes long). Voice clips are helpful when tone, pronunciation, or a personal touch matters more than text alone. Note: Each message can include one voice clip.

Common uses include:

Pronouncing vocabulary words
Sharing a short poem, verse, or song
Recording a written message for recipients who prefer listening
Supporting foreign language instruction
Sharing student reading samples with families

Add a Voice Clip on the Web Browser

While composing a Message, click the microphone icon.
Click Start Recording, record your message, then press Stop Recording.
Click the play arrow to preview your recording.
- Click the X to delete and re-record if needed.
Click Send when you're happy with your recording.
Note: A written message is optional when sending a voice clip.

Add a Voice Clip in the Mobile App

While composing a Message, tap the paperclip icon and select Voice Clip.
Tap the red button to start recording, then tap again to stop.
Tap the play arrow to preview your recording.
Tap Send when you're happy with your recording.

How Recipients Listen to Voice Clips

Recipients receive the message based on their notification preferences:

App or web: The voice clip plays directly in ParentSquare
Email: A link opens a web player
Text (SMS): A link opens a web player

Voice Clip Details

One voice clip per message
Maximum length: 2 minutes
Voice clips are not automatically translated
Voice clips are not automatically transcribed

Important Note: Recipients must sign in to ParentSquare to listen to voice clips.

Video: Direct Messages on Mobile App

Direct Messages can be sent from the mobile app. Watch this video tutorial showing the complete mobile app workflow.

Click Play or watch on Vimeo.