Communications
The Communications Department works closely with district, school, and community leaders to support family and community engagement through a variety of communication tools, including:
- District website and school sub-sites
- District social media platforms
- Mass notification calls, emails, texts
- Family newsletters
- Community newsletters
ParentSquare
Urbana School District uses ParentSquare to communicate with our staff and families. Families receive messages through email, app, voice, or text, helping everyone stay informed and involved.
An account is automatically created for each parent or guardian using the contact information in our student information system.
ParentSquare will help reduce information overload and improve clarity across all three levels (District, Schools, and Classrooms).
- Receive messages from District/School via email, text, or app notification
- Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest in the evening
- Communicate in your preferred language
- See pictures and files
- See calendar events
The District began rolling out ParentSquare in October 2025, with four pilot schools. The official launch of ParentSquare will be on January 5, 2026. (This will replace Skylert notifications). Staff, families, and the community will begin to receive all district and principal newsletters exclusively through ParentSquare. Additionally, we will utilize ParentSquare to send all district and school informational and emergency notifications.
All families and staff will receive calls, texts, and emails, regardless of whether you create a ParentSquare account. However, by creating an account, you will be able to change your notification preferences, adjust your language preferences, and view all messages previously sent to you, as well as access staff directories and other relevant information.
How Does ParentSquare Work?
ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent or guardian using the primary email address and phone number provided during the registration process. To create a ParentSquare account, go to parentsquare.com/signin and enter the email address or cell phone number associated with your Skyward account. You can also download the free ParentSquare App and sign in that way.
- Apple iOS – App Store
- Android – Google Play Store
Your school will send you an invitation using your email address or phone number on file.
1. Open the invitation from ParentSquare in your email
2. Click Activate your account or tap the link to go to the account registration page.
3. Enter your email or phone number, then click Get Started. (Optional: You can also sign in with Google)
4. Check your contact information. If it looks correct, click Confirm. You’ll receive a code by text or email.
5. Enter the verification code when asked.
6. You’ll see your student’s names. Click Confirm next to each child who should be connected to your account. If a child is listed by mistake, click ‘Not my child’.
7. If everything looks correct, click “Yes, this is me.”
Now you’re ready to start using ParentSquare.
Once you have registered your account, you can adjust your notification settings to determine which communication methods you prefer – email, text, or mobile app – and how often you would like to receive these notifications.
- Instant: Receive all messages instantly
- Digest: Receive all messages together in one daily communication sent in the evening.*
- Off: No notifications are sent.* You can check the app for notifications at your leisure.
*Regardless of your notification settings, you will continue to receive emergency notifications instantly. This will include snow cancellation messages.
The default setting for communications with ParentSquare is Digest. To update your notification settings from your computer, click your name at the top and select My Account; then click Notification Settings. To update via the mobile app, tap the triple bar menu at the top left, select Account and then Notifications. A few things to note:
- You can only turn on text notifications if we have a working cell phone number on file in Skyward.
- You can only turn on app notifications if you choose to download the app.
- You cannot turn off Urgent Alerts. These will only be sent in emergency situations.
- USD116 staff can override the digest setting, and send you a message instantly in situations when the message cannot wait (such as the cancellation of an after-school event or a delayed bus route).
ParentSquare allows you to change your language setting so that you can receive posts in your preferred language.
- From Home, click the down arrow next to your name in the upper right.
- Select My Account.
- Click on Language Settings in the left-hand sidebar.
- Select your preferred language from the dropdown menu and click Save.
- From Home, tap the triple bars (menu) in the upper left.
- Select Account, then Preferences.
- From the Preferences screen, select Language.
- Choose your preferred language. You will receive all post messages in your preferred language.
District Community Newsletter
Are you a community member? Or do you no longer have children in Urbana School District? Sign up to receive news about USD 116.