Text messages reach families even when they’re away from email or the app. They’re ideal for short, time-critical news like an early finish or a change of venue.
Find Text Messages #
In the Control Centre, select Text Messages from the menu. At the top you’ll see your School Phone Number and how many messages you’ve sent in total.
Further down are two lists:
- Messages Received: replies families have sent to your school number.
- Messages Sent: every text you’ve sent, with who it went to.
Send a text message #
- Click Send Text Message. This opens a new message in Communicate.
- Select the SMS channel and click Next.
- Give the message a Message Name your team will recognise, and set the Send Date and Send Time. Click Next.
- Check the From Number. It’s usually your school’s number.
- Type your text in Message content. Use Insert to add details from your contact records, such as each family’s first name.
- Click Next, choose the groups or contacts to send to, then review and click Complete & Send.
How long can a text be? #
One text message holds 153 characters. Longer messages are sent in up to three parts, to a maximum of 459 characters. The counter under the box shows how many characters you’ve used.
Tip: Every part of a long message counts as a separate text. Keep it short, and sign off with your school’s name so families know who it’s from.
For a quick, urgent text, you can also use Quick Send Message and select SMS as the channel.
Related articles #
Need a hand? #
Our Customer Success Team is here to help. Call 1300 795 503, email [email protected] or start a live chat in your Schoolzine account.
