Better Parent Communication Is Possible!

School notification systems are the key to increasing parent engagement. Why? Because no other communication tool can deliver a targeted message to your parents within the window of time that is most critical to improving parent awareness and driving response.

Parent response window. The parent response window is the five-day period leading up to an event, due date, or other need in which you desire parent participation, attention or response. Our client research shows that this period is the most critical communication window for extracting additional parent response and involvement.

Why five days? Schools have ample means to reach parents with communications outside of that window via newsletters, notes, letters, websites and event signs. But as the date of need approaches, because of the lead time associated with those methods and the surrounding clutter in which they exist, they often fail to reach and motivate parents. It is within that 5-day period that parents who are "on the fence," yet to commit, or have forgotten can be motivated, reminded and encouraged to respond. The increase in response can be 20% or more if a targeted message can be sent to parents within that window and SchoolReach makes it possible. Here's a brief example:

Case Study: 3500 Toys in 3 Days. Bishop Feehan high school in Boston, MA had just established their SchoolReach account and had been running a toy drive for weeks prior. On the night of their first test call, Principal Bill Runey decided to remind parents that the toy drive was ending in a few days. At the time of the call, they were well short of their goal and had collected approximately 500 toys. Within three days of the call, parents and students had brought in an astounding 3500 additional toys.

Listen to Principal Runey's actual announcement:

For more ideas on how you can use your school notification system to engage parents, staff, and community members, download our "Parent Communication and Beyond" guide now. Fill out the form below to download.