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BSD Communications Hub for Staff

BSD Communications Hub

Welcome to the BSD Communication Hub

Welcome to the new Communications Hub for BSD staff.  Your time is valuable, and that's why we've created a central place for all things communication! Think of this as your "one-stop shop" for communications tools, links and resources! We want to make communicating simpler so you can focus on what you do best: serving our students.

District Communications Quick Links

BSD Spotlight

Let’s celebrate our students, staff and schools every day!

Every day in the Bremerton School District, amazing moments unfold across our classrooms and buildings. You don’t need record-breaking achievements or headline news to submit a spotlight—we simply want to give our community a genuine glimpse inside our schools and celebrate the great work happening every day!

Whether it's a creative classroom lesson, a quiet win, a fun student or alumni milestone, or a staff member going above and beyond, we want to highlight both the big and the little moments.

Our theme this year is "Let's celebrate our students, staff, and schools every day!"—and we need your help to do it.

Got a moment, story, or photo to share? Fill out the quick District Spotlight Form so we can celebrate your school and share our BSD story!

BHS Staff – if you submit information/photos via the BHS News Hub, you do NOT have to submit it as a Spotlight!

 

Guidelines for staff taking photos in the classroom 

 

Bremerton School District Spotlight graphic with the district logo.

BSD Spotlight (for all District students, staff, families & supporters)

 

BHS News Hub

BHS News Hub (BHS students, staff, PTAs & Booster Clubs)

Opt-out reports

Thank you for sharing your photos!  A few important details: 

  • Please review these guidelines before taking photos in your classroom!

  • All photos must be screened for Opt-Outs prior to uploading to these shared files.

    • BSD log-in required to access opt-out reports.

    • Staff can only view the opt-out report for their assigned school. 

    • The report is CONFIDENTIAL. Do NOT share.  

    • The report will be updated monthly.

Parent Square Guides & Tip Sheets

You must be logged in to your BSD Google account and/or ParentSquare to view these documents!

Are you having ParentSquare account issues? Please submit your request for help here!

ParentSquare account help

ParentSquare FAQ

  • Direct messages are always sent immediately. Posts can be scheduled to be sent later. 

    Resources: 

  • By default, all posts allow recipient comments. After your message is posted you can:

    • Disable/enable comments
    • Make comments private/public

     

    Article:  Comments on a post

     

  • Yes! 

    You can view email, text, and app notification delivery statistics for a post. This allows you to see which email or cell phone numbers are failing, along with who opened the post and in which language they received it. 

    1. From Home, locate the post and click on the number of people notified "x Notified" at bottom of post. Or, from post detail page (in My Account), click on the number notified "x Notified" located in right sidebar.

     

    Read Receipts for Direct Messages

    Staff have access to see read receipts for Direct Messages. (This applies to individual direct messages, not group conversations.) The message will first show as Sent and will update to Read after: 

    • The message is viewed in ParentSquare.

    • The email notification is opened.

    • The text or app notification is delivered.

    After the recipient has replied, the read receipt will no longer display under the message.

     

    Article: View delivery statistics for a post

  • By default, teachers can only create groups for students in your class. If you need to communicate with students/families outside of your class or if you are a staff member who works with students but is not assigned to a class (ie: counselor, specialist, etc.) please submit a request for more permissions. 


    Article:  How to create a group

  • You can use ParentSquare to send direct messages

    • Save time - no looking up emails or phone numbers in Skyward!!

    • You can also choose your recipients: 1 parent, both parents, and/or student (and/or cc: another staff member!)

     

    You can send text or voice messages via Direct Message to individuals, groups or classes.

    • No phone required to send a voice message!

    • Phone app - click paperclip to add attachment or voice message!

     

    Article: How to send a Direct Message
    Article:  What are Direct Messages? Direct Messages vs Group Conversations
    Article: Best practices for Direct Messages
    Article: Send a Direct message with a personal voice clip

  • All posts are automatically archived on 6/30 annually to reduce clutter for the end user.  The exceptions to this include:

    • Posts that have a calendar add-on for a date after 6/30
    • Posts that have been shared on social media

    If you do not want your group posts achived, please let Karen Bevers know by the last day of school.  

    Archived posts are not deleted!  They are retained for 5 years per public records laws.

     

    How do I recover an archived post:

    • Use a web browser (not the app).

    • Click your name in the top right corner.

    • Select 'Manage Account' then 'Archived Posts' to find your authored posts.

    • Once located, you can duplicate the archived post to reuse or edit it.

ParentSquare Tip of the Week

  • Myth: Families and staff must download the ParentSquare (PS) app to receive district communications.

    Fact: You do NOT need the app to stay connected!

    Here is how PS messaging reaches everyone without the app:

    • Email: All posts and direct messages are automatically delivered via email.

    • Text Messages: If the primary phone number in SkywardQ is a mobile device, families/staff will also receive text notifications (you can opt-out of text messaging in the app). 

    • Daily Digest: By default, updates are bundled into a single notification sent daily at 6 p.m. (Emergency alerts are sent immediately).

    If a family is not receiving our communication it means their contact information in SkywardQ needs an update. Please reach out to your school's office coordinator. 

    • You can log-in to the ParentSquare app on any mobile device or access your account using a computer by going to www.ParentSquare.com. 

    • Use the QR codes below to download the app on your mobile device (optional).

    • Use the Google sign-in option with your BSD staff email to log-in. 

    • If you are having an issue or need additional access/permissions in ParentSquare, please submit a request HERE (please do not send an email - thank you!).

    • Once you log-in, check out this helpful “getting started” information.

  • Are you getting unwanted text messages from ParentSquare? Some things have changed with the transition to SkywardQ. Here is what you need to know:

    • ParentSquare is set up to "sync" with your #1 phone number in SkywardQ.

    • If that number is a mobile device that can receive texts, ParentSquare will send you text notifications.

    • You can CHANGE your notifications and opt-out of text messaging by logging-in to ParentSquare and selecting notifications. 

      • This does not mean you have to download the app on your phone - you can do it from a desktop computer.

    • If you need to update your phone number, please contact HR.

District newsletters

The Bremerton School District Communications Department produces three e-newsletters per month!  All BSD staff receive the three newsletters produced every month and do not need to subscribe. But anyone can subscribe here.

District Communication Resources (BSD log-in required)

Questions? Feedback? Suggestions?

Suggestions for this page? Please send them to Communications@BremertonSchools.org. Thank you!