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Newburgh board approves ParentSquare to deliver multilingual communications districtwide
Summary
The Newburgh City School District board voted to adopt ParentSquare, a multilingual messaging platform claimed to support more than 190 languages, promising summer integration, fall staff training, a winter soft launch and spring pilots in buildings to improve outreach to families, especially English‑language learners.
The Newburgh City School District on June 9 approved ParentSquare, a districtwide communication platform officials said will translate messages into families’ home languages and allow two‑way, cross‑language exchanges between teachers, students and parents.
"Language is no longer going to be a barrier for any of our community members," said Mr. McGrath, the district's technology director, during a presentation explaining the platform’s features and rollout plan. He said the system supports "over 190 languages" and offers text, email and app delivery as well as a searchable message archive.
Administrators told trustees the rollout timeline begins this summer with technical integration, includes staff training in the fall, a soft launch in winter and building pilots in the spring. Mr. McGrath described two‑way messaging that allows a parent to receive a translated message and reply in their own language, with the teacher receiving the reply in English.
Trustees asked how the district will promote the platform and how it interacts with existing systems. Mr. McGrath said ParentSquare will not replace the Parent Portal used for grades and schedules; rather, Parent Portal remains the place for a parent to look up detailed student information while ParentSquare will passively deliver notices and allow teachers and parents to communicate quickly.
Board members pressed about in‑building translation and classroom use. Officials said the platform is designed for outreach and remote messaging; separate translation tools and pilot projects are being tested for in‑person conversations and classroom translation. The district also plans QR codes, posters, videos (initially in English and Spanish) and community outreach to encourage adoption.
Trustees approved the resolution by roll call vote after the presentation and questions. District staff said they will monitor uptake and solicit feedback during the pilot phase to adjust outreach and training.
Next steps: technical integration this summer and staff training slated for the fall, followed by a soft launch in winter and building‑level pilots in spring.
