Two-way SMS allows staff to send messages in PowerSchool Messaging while guardians receive and reply by text message.
After cellular carriers have approved your district’s brand, you can configure SMS settings and begin sending messages to guardians.
Before you begin
Before enabling two-way SMS, confirm the following:
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Your district has completed SMS registration and received carrier approval.
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Guardian contact records include valid mobile phone numbers.
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SMS consent has been collected and recorded for recipients.
Guardians must consent to receive SMS messages before you can contact them by text.
SMS delivery option details
|
Delivery option |
SMS recipients |
Other notifications |
Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Send SMS only to guardians without active MyPowerHub accounts (default, recommended) |
Only guardians without active MyPowerHub accounts |
Guardians with active MyPowerHub accounts continue receiving in-app messages with push notifications only |
Reducing duplicate notifications and notification fatigue |
|
Send SMS to all guardians, including active MyPowerHub users |
All guardians, including those with active MyPowerHub accounts |
Active MyPowerHub users receive an SMS message and an in-app message with a push notification |
Districts that want to send messages through both SMS and the app |
Allow active users to receive SMS
Send SMS messages and in-app messages with push notifications to guardians with active MyPowerHub accounts.
By default, SMS messages are only sent to guardians without an active MyPowerHub account.
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Go to Admin.
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Select Messaging Settings.
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Select Message Permissions.
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Open SMS Configuration.
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Turn on Allow active user to receive SMS.
Verify guardian data
SMS delivery depends on accurate guardian contact data in your SIS.
Make sure each guardian record includes:
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A valid phone number
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SMS consent enabled for the phone number
You must select Consents to receiving SMS on the guardian’s phone number record.
Your district is responsible for collecting and maintaining consent records.
Prepare guardians for SMS messaging
Before enabling SMS, notify guardians that they may begin receiving text messages from your district.
Guardians may receive:
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A welcome message the first time they are contacted
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Compliance messages explaining how to:
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Stop messages
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Request help
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Review terms and privacy information
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Providing this information ahead of time can help reduce confusion and lower opt-out rates.
Next steps
After setup is complete, review system message behavior and SMS commands in Manage Two-way SMS settings.