We have a few teachers who are utilizing the Remind app (https://www.remind.com/) to communicate with parents. Our parents and teachers have found that the notification settings within Blackbaud are limited and quite cumbersome. Especially when a parent has multiple children at the school (I have 4!).  A notification shows up on my phone, it doesn't tell me who it is from, but just gives me a link to click which requires a login to see the message from the teacher. When a teacher uses a "Message" from their roster, it sends a notification that I have a message, but doesn't tell me what it is, who it is from, or who it is concerning.  And this time there is no link.

In the Remind app, a teacher sends a simple notification, "test tomorrow" "field trip today" or "bring your library book," and the message on my phone shows up with the teacher's details and the complete message in the body of the text. In our opinion, the concept of a text message this day and age is for ease and to give a snapshot to the parent. It is to catch them in their busy day and send a simple notification that doesn't require a link, a click or a login. Also this applies to older students who have smart-phones - this is a great way for teachers to send them reminders al well.