Seattle Public Schools

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Seattle Public Schools / Family Resources / Family Communication

Family Communication

How we communicate with families

Seattle Public Schools knows timely, useful communication with families is important. The following tools are the official means of communications from the district.

Communication Tools

Phone messages: Calls during the school day or early morning are reserved for emergencies or important information such as school closings or delays. Afternoon calls will share general information, reminders, and student attendance notices.

Text messages: The district uses TalkingPoints to send text messages to families. Schools and educators also have access to Talking Points. In addition to receiving text messages, families can use the TalkingPoints app—available for download via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Email messages: The district uses email to send letters, program updates, community flyers, and newsletters.

District and school websites: The district and schools publish news announcements, calendars, and contact information. In the event of an emergency, look for an alert on SPS websites. Web visitors can view community flyers shared through Peachjar with a link at the bottom of each school website.

Social Media: Follow us on social media for important announcements, stories about our students, staff, and schools, and more.

Superintendent’s Newsletter: A weekly message from Superintendent Ben Shuldiner. Subscribe to the Superintendent’s Newsletter.

Make sure your contact information is updated

At the start of the school year, parents and guardians can update contact information on the Student Verification Form which is available in The Source. During the school year, contact your school’s main office to update phone numbers, emails, and address.

Log in to The Source

Manage your Messages

Do you want phone calls for some messages, but only email or text messages for others? You can manage your communication preferences online.

Emails and Phone Calls

  1. Log in to SchoolMessenger with the email on file at your child’s school.
  2. After you log in, select ‘Preferences’ in the menu and update how we connect best with you!

Text Messages

TalkingPoints is a two-way multilingual family engagement and communication tool helping SPS teachers, staff, and families stay connected via text message.

  • Families are automatically signed up to receive district and school text messages through the phone number(s) provided to SPS when their student(s) enrolled.
  • Families can also download the mobile application or use the online platform to communicate with teachers or school staff.  
  • If you are not receiving messages, please follow the steps in the getting started guide or visit the TalkingPoints help center for more information.
  • If you have unsubscribed from TalkingPoints and would like to receive messages again, you will need to contact your student’s teacher to receive the phone number to rejoin their class.

More information about using TalkingPoints.

Emergency Communications

How will I know if there’s an emergency at my student’s school? The safety of students and staff is our first priority. The district and schools strive to share accurate and timely information.

  • Parents or guardians will receive an automated phone call, text message, and/or email.
  • In many situations, schools will send a follow up message once the situation has ended.
  • Please look for official messages from Public Affairs or the individual school to avoid sharing unofficial information.

Weather-related School Delays or Closures

Seattle Public Schools closely monitors weather conditions and informs students, families, and staff of updates affecting the school day as early as possible.

Transportation changes due to adverse weather: Sometimes weather may force a change in the district’s normal transportation operating routines. For more information visit the SPS Transportation webpage.

Stay informed: If weather conditions make a schedule change necessary, we will communicate through:

  1. TV and Radio Stations
    • Local TV: KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7, Q13 FOX
    • Radio: KOMO AM 1000, KIRO 97.3 FM
  2. Automated phone calls, emails, and text messages
  3. District and school websites