ParentSquare

ParentSquare

ParentSquare, a new mass communication platform coming to RISD beginning in 2026-2027

ParentSquare is RISD’s new mass communications tool for all district, school, and classroom communication, and messages. Families can receive updates by email, text, phone call, or through the ParentSquare app.
ParentSquare replaces Finalsite messages, TalkingPoints, and Smore newsletters. This change helps families get school information in one place.
Custodial parents and guardians in contact 1-3 in Focus, can login to ParentSquare using their phone or email that is in Focus.

One Place for School Messages

ParentSquare makes school communication easier.
Instead of checking several different tools, families will be able to find many school messages in one place.

ParentSquare is used for:

  • District, school, and classroom posts, newsletters, and direct messages
  • Attendance messages
  • Event reminders
  • Smart and Urgent alerts
ParentSquare has over 190 languages and helps families read and send messages in their preferred language.

Download the ParentSquare App

ParentSquare App

StudentSquare App

What Is Changing?

Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, Finalsite, RISD Mobile Parent App, TalkingPoints, and Smore newsletters have been replaced by ParentSquare.
This means families do not need to check as many places for school updates. ParentSquare helps bring all of these messages together in one place
Parent Square app with forms, messages, notifications, alerts and signups

How ParentSquare Helps Families

With ParentSquare, families are able to:

  • Get school messages by email, text, phone call, or app notification
  • Choose how and when they get some messages
  • View newsletters and posts in one feed
  • Get important alerts quickly
  • Send messages to teachers and staff
  • Use translation tools for two-way communication
  • See school events, sign-ups, forms, and other updates in one place

Do Parents Need to Do Anything Right Now?

You should have received an invitation in your email inbox associated with your Focus account.
Please Activate Your Account by following the instructions in the email with the subject line: Richardson Independent School District invites you to join ParentSquare
To maximize your experience with ParentSquare, it is highly recommended to download the app on your mobile device and login.

ParentSquare FAQs for Parents

No, you do not have to download the ParentSquare mobile app. However, it is recommended. With the app, you can see all your messages, notifications, and students all in one place.

Parents and Guardians who are in Focus as contact 1-3 with the custodial rights are automatically imported into ParentSquare each night.

Go to ParentSquare website and register with the email or phone number associated with your Focus contact information.

  • Focus is the central source for all contact information. Please see the Student Data Specialist/Front Office at all of your children’s campuses to update your contact information.
  • Your cell phone and email need to be unique to you. Parents and guardians should not use the same phone or email for two people. This will make it difficult for both people to login. Please update contact information in Focus with each campus.
  • Once you’re logged in, you can click the question mark icon to access the ParentSquare Parent help files.
  • Please reach out to your campus for help with contact information.

Please use Focus to upload an attendance note.

Students will only receive ParentSquare messages if a parent or guardian has opted them in. Students must be 13 or older to be opted in.

To update your choice, log in to Focus and select Applications and Forms on the left side of the screen. Start a new form or choose View/Edit to update a previous Communications form.

After the opt-in is updated, the student should be able to sign in to ParentSquare the next day using their @g.risd.org email address, after the overnight data update is complete.