[App] Enable Parent-Child Messaging Within Your App

Overview You can now allow parents and students to message each other directly through the app! This new option helps families stay connected while respecting classroom cell phone policies and keeping communication within your school's platform.

Perfect for schools with device restrictions Many schools restrict cell phone use during class time but still want families to be able to communicate when needed. This feature lets parents message their own children (and vice versa) through your school app instead of requiring personal devices or text messaging.

Administrator control over family messaging In your Conversations Settings, you'll find a new "Can Message Relatives" permission for both Student and Parent roles. This option is turned off by default, so you have complete control over whether to enable parent-child messaging based on your school's communication policies.

How it works for families When enabled:

• Parents can message their own children when starting conversations or sending messages
• Students can message their own parents through the same conversation features
• Only related family members appear as options - parents can't message other students, and students can't message other parents

Flexible for different needs You can enable this feature for:

• Parents only if you want only parents to initiate conversations with their students
• Students only if you want to let students reach out to their parents
• Both parents and students for either parents or students to start conversations with each other

Great for common situations This feature is especially helpful for:

• Emergency communication when parents need to reach their children during school hours
• Schedule changes that parents need to communicate directly to their child
• After-school arrangements and pickup coordination
• Keeping families connected while maintaining classroom device policies

The feature gives you the flexibility to support family communication needs while maintaining control over who can message whom within your school community.