Oakdale Joint Unified to adopt ParentSquare for districtwide communications

Oakdale Joint Unified School District staff outlined plans to adopt ParentSquare as the district’s primary family-communication platform for the 2026–27 school year, saying the system will centralize district, site and teacher messaging and offer translation, mobile and web access.

Mrs. Wagner, the staff presenter, said ParentSquare will integrate with the district’s student information system and streamline alerts, newsletters, teacher messaging and event sign-ups. “Parent Square is, basically a 1 stop shop for school district teacher information,” she said, adding that the platform includes smart and urgent alerts, direct messaging, permission-slip workflows and translation features to reach families who speak languages other than English.

The district plans administrator training May 26 conducted by ParentSquare’s team and teacher training during the August staff-development day. Staff said School Messenger will be retired in June–July as ParentSquare is phased in, and that the rollout will be staggered so families and staff have overlapping access during the transition.

Board members asked for reminders at back-to-school nights and for district-level messages to help parents download and use the app; Mrs. Wagner said the district will send multiple notices, short how-to videos and periodic tips ahead of full implementation.

The presentation did not solicit a vote; the board received the report and staff indicated they will return with any necessary implementation details later this spring.

The district’s public information materials and training timeline will be posted to district channels before the fall term.