Parent Communication

Do you use an app to communicate with your classroom parents?


I began using an app I can't even recall the name of back in the early 2010s.  It worked great for me at the time.  Several years later I left that school and joined a new school.  My new school did not utilize an app for parent communication.  They were not opposed to the idea however, so I began to introduce them to what I was using.  The same year the app went through some changes and I began seeing more adds, and was not getting the same benefits for free.  This was about the year 2017.  I decided I needed to research some new options.  I came across a post that compared all the apps that were available at the time.  I assume that post is outdated as it is no longer available or I would share it with you.  Anyway, from that comparison post I discovered
Bloomz
I shared the app with co workers who began to utilize it as well.  While the whole school has not decided to implement it throughout as my last school did, it does have those features as options.

Through my children's schools I have explored several other apps as a parent such as:


What I discovered is these apps were not able to provide ALL the features I received with Bloomz for FREE!  Many apps available have some of the same features, but many apps require you to pay to get these apps.  Another thing I personally like about Bloomz is that it was developed with Montessori teachers in mind.  Some of my favorite things I am able to utilize through the app that makes my life easier:
  1. Keeping all my students and their parent's info all in 1 place. (Names, birthdays, email, and any other info.)
  2. Creating posts with pictures that I can send to individual families or to the whole class.
  3. Uploading important documents like my newsletter and calendar for parents to see any time.
  4. Keeping an online portfolio for each student that the parents can see.
  5. Direct messaging individuals or groups.
  6. Creating events and sign ups.
  7. Creating conference sign ups.
ALL these features I am able to use at no cost to me.  There is a paid version that I have gone back and forth with whether I will upgrade to.  The paid option gives more storage for media and document files, and more features such as digital downloads, bigger class size, attendance reports, and more.

Of course I highly recommend Bloomz, but I always love hearing from others.  Comment below what, if any, app do you use and why?

Comments

Post a Comment