Alerts for RPS Parents/Caregivers
This year, “Alerts” has replaced what families may know as “Skylert” or “School Messenger” as our primary avenue for emailing families. Communications conducted a survey in the spring and received feedback from both internal and external audiences with a clear desire for fewer methods of receiving messages from the district and schools.
All parents/caregivers of RPS students will automatically be opted in to receive emails and text Alerts from the district and their schools, eliminating the need for parents to sign up for these through Skyward.
If your child is absent for the day, you will also receive attendance calls, texts, and emails from Alerts.
Text messages from Alerts will come from a 98900 number.
Opting out for Parents/Caregivers
RPS District Communications emails about 1) general information, 2) weather closures, and 3) emergencies. If you wish to no longer receive an email, phone call, or text about one or all of these topics from the District level, please email communications@rochesterschools.org and include your email, phone number, first and last name, and the topic you want to be removed from. We strongly recommend you not be removed from the “emergencies” or “weather” categories.
Community Sign up
RPS also has a sign-up option for community members who would like to connect with the district and receive our district-wide communications.
Sign up to receive email updates, weather closings, emergency notifications, and information about the upcoming Referendum.
TalkingPoints
Another tool that teachers and schools use to communicate with families in their preferred home language is TalkingPoints. Depending on your school/classroom, your teachers may be using this platform with you and your child's education and progress.
In TalkingPoints, you will get these types of messages:
Class-wide announcements and reminders
Updates on what we're learning in class
Attendance communication
Homework and assignment help
Periodic check-ins about your child
Updates on grades and progress
TalkingPoints messages can come in the form of a text, or if you have the app downloaded, in the app.