We began seeing family access activity with the parent portal about 4:00 Thursday (15 minutes after posting the link on the web site). We could not figure out how people were getting in since the letters arrived at the post office at 1:00 the same day, but regardless, we are really excited about the access all parents will have. It looks like parents are clicking the tab "forgot password" and getting a new password sent to them. This is no problem from an implementation standpoint. It is actually good to have activity to see how it reacts.
Soon, we will be prepared to use our Instant Messaging service where we will be able to send out communications to all parents that have signed up for the service. An example would be the instant message that could be sent to phones through voice mails and text messages or the messages that could be sent via e mails at work and/or at home. Parents will have the option of getting messages in one or all of the above mentioned ways. Examples will include information about weather alerts, crisis drills, upcoming events, parent/teacher conferences, and etc. The information may come from individual classroom teachers or coaches, entire buildings or the whole district. This will certainly improve communications.
