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District to replace mass‑notification and website platforms; ParentSquare chosen for two‑way, multi‑language messaging
Summary
Communications staff selected a new vendor (ParentSquare) to replace the district’s notification and website platform; staff plan staff training in August and a phased launch at the start of the school year, offering two‑way messaging and automated translation.
CLOVER PARK, Wash. — The Clover Park School District is replacing its mass‑notification and website platforms and plans a phased launch this fall with staff training in August, district communications staff said Tuesday.
Liana Albrecht, executive director of marketing and communications, said the district selected a vendor to replace its current phone, email and text notification services and to launch redesigned district and school websites. She said the vendor selected supports two‑way messaging and automatic language translation.
"ParentSquare has that capability for us to, have two‑way communication in preferred language," Albrecht said, noting that the platform translates inbound messages for staff into English and outbound messages into families’ preferred languages. Staff said the district will continue using its current SchoolMessenger system for back‑to‑school communications but will transition to ParentSquare for routine two‑way messaging and translated communications as staff are trained.
Timeline and rollout: staff will complete platform configuration and training during August, with school‑level rollouts in the fall. The district plans to launch priority website content with ongoing page builds and stakeholder review; mock‑ups will be shared with board members and departments in July.
Why it matters: district staff said ParentSquare’s features will allow more equitable communications by reducing language barriers and preserving message threads for public‑records purposes. The district said the new website will also include translation capability and improved navigation based on stakeholder input from parent and staff focus groups.
What was not decided: cost and contract details were not discussed in depth during the presentation; staff said they are moving ahead with vendor implementation and will provide additional details to the board and stakeholders before full rollout.
