How to send SMS notifications via SchoolMessenger

Step-by-step instructions for sending roster notifications by SMS via SchoolMessenger.

Note: Sending SMS notifications requires a SchoolMessenger account, rostering, and some additional account set up. Please contact Permission Click Customer Success for assistance with preparing your account for SMS.

This walkthrough assumes that you have already created and published your form, and have a roster attached and are ready to send your invitation notification.

Step 1: Enable SMS for your form

In the Form Manager for your form, click on the Form Settings tab and enable the "Send SMS along with email notifications via PowerSchool School Messenger".

Step 2: Review and send your roster notification

When you are ready to send out your roster notification, click on the "Send to x Recipients" button located at the top of the page. If you do not see this button, you need to open the Recipients Manager and ensure that your roster is properly configured.

Note: Roster notifications are send by both email and SMS to ensure your roster receives their invitation.

In the window that opens, you'll first see the options specific to the email notification (1). Included in this area is an option to turn off SMS notifications and just send via email if you prefer (2). This allows you to choose specifically when to send SMS notifications.

In the bottom portion of that window, you will see a preview for your SMS message (3). The SMS message is shared with the email message, any changes you make there will be reflected in the SMS message.

Tip: SMS messages have a character limit of 160 characters (including spaces). If your message is longer than 160 characters, your message will be split into multiple SMS messages.

Lastly, there is an area to schedule when the notifications will be sent out (4). This is handy if you need to send out the notification very early in the morning, late at night, or at a time you aren't at a computer.

When you are ready to send the notification, click the Save & Send button (5). Otherwise click Save to save your changes for later.

On the recipients side, along with an email, they will also receive an SMS that includes the form name and a link that will take them to the form. The recipient can use the link either in the email or the SMS, they will be taken to the same form.