Overview. Sign Into SchoolMessenger. Broadcast Subject and Type

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1 TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Overview Use the SchoolMessenger web interface to create and send a broadcast via phone call, text message and/or message. Refer to page 3 for instructions on recording a phone message in another language. Refer to page 5 for instructions on composing an message in another language. Sign Into SchoolMessenger 1. Visit sm.wcpss.net. 2. Click Log into SchoolMessenger. 3. Enter web interface Login and Password. 4. Click. Broadcast Subject and Type 2. Enter a Subject. 3. Select broadcast Type. IMPORTANT: Guardians select their communications preferences based on the broadcast types below. General School Info o Use for most messages. Voice, text and/or . Urgent School News o Use for messages requiring urgent attention. Voice, text and/or . o For emergencies, contact the WCPSS Communications Department for assistance in communicating with your families. WCPSS SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Last Updated: 3/9/17 Page 1 of 7

2 Message Recipients 1. Click Add Message Recipients. 2. Click Saved Recipient Lists Lists have already been created for all students, each grade level and each track (for year-round schools) using custom rules. These lists are updated automatically each night from PowerSchool. Other options: Custom Rules o Rule-based lists are always the preferred method of communication as student contact data is automatically updated nightly from PowerSchool. o Rules should be used whenever selection criteria is available in PowerSchool. (e.g. boys in grade 5.) Upload List o Upload a manually created list only when the data is not available in PowerSchool. (e.g. staff members, chess club, etc.) Additional information regarding lists is available at 3. Select the list(s) desired. 4. Click Add Recipients (#). NOTE: The total number of recipients contacted will be displayed. 5. Click Add Me to send broadcast to yourself. (optional) 6. Click. WCPSS SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Last Updated: 3/9/17 Page 2 of 7

3 Message Content Messages can be delivered via telephone, or text (SMS.) Use any combination of these methods to meet your communications needs. Record Phone Message NOTE: Click or SMS to skip audio recording. 2. Enter phone number where system can reach you to record message. 3. Click. NOTE: Follow telephone prompts to record and save message. 4. To record message in another language, select a language from drop-down list under English and repeat steps 2 and 3. NOTE: Language Most Used preferences must be set for your students in PowerSchool PRIOR to using this option. For instructions on how to set the Language Most Used, go to sm.wcpss.net. EXAMPLE: When the broadcast is sent, both messages will be sent at the same time. Students marked as English for Language Most Used in PowerSchool will receive the English message. Students marked as Spanish for Language Most Used will automatically receive the Spanish message. 5. Click. 6. Click or SMS to continue adding messages. 7. If you do not wish to send and/or text, click to schedule and send your phone message. Skip to page 5 to send broadcast. WCPSS SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Last Updated: 3/9/17 Page 3 of 7

4 Create Message NOTE: Click Phone or SMS to skip message. 2. Select your school s custom stationery. NOTE: Wait for the preview to load before selecting your stationery. 3. Click. 4. Enter the following information: From Name From Reply to Subject We recommend using your school s generic account as both the From and the Reply To Click the template to create your message in the space provided. 6. Use the toolbar to format your message. IMPORTANT: To paste content from Microsoft Word or your website, click the Paste from Word button. Do not paste directly into the text area. WCPSS SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Last Updated: 3/9/17 Page 4 of 7

5 7. To compose an in another language, select Translate at bottom of window. NOTE: Language Most Used preferences must be set for your students in PowerSchool PRIOR to using this option. For instructions on how to set the Language Most Used, go to sm.wcpss.net. EXAMPLE: When the broadcast is sent, both messages will be sent at the same time. Students marked as English for Language Most Used in PowerSchool will receive the English message. Students marked as Spanish for Language Most Used will automatically receive the Spanish message. 8. Uncheck the languages that do not apply to your message. 9. At bottom right of message, click Override. 10. Delete auto-translated text and enter translated message. IMPORTANT: Do not use auto-translated message content. It can be very inaccurate and could provide misinformation After your message is complete, click. 13. If you do not wish to send Phone and/or text, click to send or schedule your message. Skip to page 5 to send broadcast. WCPSS SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Last Updated: 3/9/17 Page 5 of 7

6 Create Text (SMS) Message NOTE: Click Phone or to skip SMS message. 2. Type your message in the space provided. Must be 160 characters or less. 3. Click. 4. Click. Select Delivery Options and Schedule 1. Select desired Message Options. Select Skip Duplicates to prevent parents with siblings in your school from receiving the same message multiple times. Select Save Message Content to reuse this message in another broadcast. 2. Click Send Now to release calls immediately. -OR- Click Schedule to Send Later to specify release date and time. Use date picker to select date. Use sliders to choose message begin/end times. Broadcasts can be sent between 8AM and 9PM. When finished setting the date/times, click Submit Scheduled Message to continue. 3. Click Submit Scheduled Message. 4. Click. WCPSS SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Last Updated: 3/9/17 Page 6 of 7

7 Your broadcast has been scheduled and will begin delivery at the time indicated. Monitor broadcast progress on the dashboard. WCPSS SchoolMessenger: Create New Broadcast Last Updated: 3/9/17 Page 7 of 7