Weston Public Schools

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager

What is SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager SchoolMessenger is a rapid alert/noficiation system used by Weston Public Schools. It has replaced AlertNow. It allows for students and staff to receive information and messages from the district using different communication methods including telephone, SMS (text), and email. Contact Manager is the portal used for parents, guardians and staff to modify their communication preferences. We tend to refer to “SchoolMessenger” and “Contact Manager” interchangably but Contact Manager is the actual product provided by the SchoolMessenger company.

Before You Begin   

If you already have an account, and you’re just modifiying/verifying your infomation you can refer to page 5. If you don’t know or remember your password refer to page 9. If you are setting up your account for the first time, you will need your Contact Manager ID and Activation Code. If you don’t have these, please check your email, otherwise contact [email protected] .

Creating Your Account in SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager If you already have an account go to page 5. Go to the following link https://contactme.schoolmessenger.com/newportaluser.php?u=weston . Click on the Sign Up Now link found at the bottom of the page.

1

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager You will be taken to the new account creation page. You will need to enter the following items:    

A valid email Choose a password Your first and last name Your zip code

If you wish to recive an email notification when you receive a phone message, click here. (*Note this is not the same as having messages delivered to your email address, this will only send a emailnotification when a phone message is sent. You will still need to add your email address later if you wish to receive district email notifications.)

If you wish to recive a text notification when you receive a phone message, click here. (*Note this is not the same as having messages delivered to your text number, this will only send a text notification message when a phone message is sent. You will still need to add your text number if you wish to receive district text notifications.)

Click to Accept the Terms of Service

Click Sign Up

Once your account is created, you will be sent an activation email.

2

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager Go to your email account used to create your contact manager account. You should receive an activation email from SchoolMessenger. When you receive the activation email click on the link to activate your account.

Clicking on the link found in your activation email should bring you to the activation account page for SchoolMessenger. Enter the password you used when you first setup your account. Click submit.

Your account should be activated. Wait 10 seconds to be redirected to the main page, or click on the link to navigate to the main page immediately.

3

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager

Getting Started in SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager Once your account has been activated you should be greeted with the Getting Started page in SchoolMessenger. Click the “Click here to begin” button to link your contact manager account.

Enter the ID# and Activation Code found in the email. If you do not know your ID or Activation Code please email [email protected] .

If successful, you should see a message that alerts you that the contact was added to your account. If you would like to add additional contacts, click yes. Otherwise click no.

4

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager You should see two tabs at the top left side of the page. One named “Messages” and one named “Contacts”.

The messages tab displays all district messages sent via SchoolMessenger within the last 30 days. If you believe you were sent a message, but did not recieve it, you can come to this page and check.

Logging into SchoolMesenger / Contact Manager If you already have an account you can login to Contact Manager by going to the following link https://contactme.schoolmessenger.com . If you do not have an account you will need to create one first, refer to page 2. Enter your email address used when your created your account as well as the password. Then click Sign In. If you don’t know your password, or forgot the email address used during signup, refer to page 9.

5

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager

Modify Your Contact Settings in SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager Clicking on the Contacts tab allows you to edit or add contacts.

In the example above, there is only one contact added, Test User. To edit the contact information click “Edit” under actions. For most staff members you will only have one contact. If you would like to add additional contacts click on “Add Contact”, then follow the steps on page 4.

6

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager When you click on edit. You will be brought to the contact entry/change page This page allows you to modify your home phone, email, and/or sms (text) message settings. You can enter and/or remove numbers/email addresses as well as change the type of communications you receive.

SMS (Text Messages) You have the option of up to two (2) sms (text) messege number. To receive texts from Weston Public Schools there must be valid numbers entered into these box(es)! Enter your cell phone number, including area code Ex: (203) 555555, in the box(es).

Phone You have the option of up to three (3) phone numbers. The first number comes from PowerSchool. This cannot be changed via the Contact Manager portal. Please speak to your school’s front office staff and they can change this. The last two phone numbers can be any number(s) you wish to have in addition to the first.

Email You have the option of up to two (2) email addresses. The first address is your district email address. This can not be changed via the Contact Manager portal. Please speak to your school’s front office staff and they can change this. The other email address can be any email address you wish to have in addtion to the first.

7

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager Next to each contact method there are a series of checkboxes. These are the types of messages that Weston Public Schools sends out. You can customize which notifications you receive on each device. If you want to ensure you’re notified of everything, please ensure everything checked. Below are the types of messages and a brief description of how they relate to staff members. Message Type Non-School Hours Emergency School Hours Emergency Attendance

Bus Information / Notification General Lunch Balance

School Closure / Delay / Dismissal Sporting Events Surveys

Message Type Description Any type of notification/message or information that is considered emergency, but occurs outside the normal school hours. Any type of notification/message or information that is considered emergency, but occurs during the normal school hours. Notification/message(s) regarding attendance of your child/student. This message type is not used for staff members. Notification/message(s) regarding bus delays and/or any relevant bus information. This message type is not used for staff members. Notification/message(s) that do not fit any other type may be categorized into the general category. Notification/message(s) regarding lunch balance(s). This message type is not used for staff members. Notification/message(s) regarding school closures, delays, dismissals. Notification/message(s) regarding school sporting events. Surveys that are sent via SchoolMessenger. These may be district or school based.

IMPORTANT!: Once you have made your changes to the contact page, you will need to click save.

In the lower left hand corner there is a checkbox. If you have more than one contact you may choose to save to all contacts. (If you only have one you may leave this checked.)

Click Save to save any changes.

Congratulations! You have setup and modified your contact settings in Contact Manager.

8

Staff Guide to Setting Up SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager

What if I don’t know my SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager password? If you already have a SchoolMessenger account you can reset your password. Go to http://contactme.schoolmessenger.com Click on the “Forgot your password?” link.

Enter your email address you used when you setup your Contact Manager account. Then click submit

You will receive a password reset email shortly.

What if I don’t know the email address I used to create my SchoolMessenger / Contact Manager account? Please email [email protected] .

9