About SMS

In this guide, you will learn

• About the SMS Center
• How to get started using the SMS Center
• How to purchase SMS Packs

About the SMS Center

The SMS Center lets your school send text messages directly to the cell phones of individuals who have given consent.

Purpose

The SMS Center is best used for important announcements and alerts. It is not recommended for routine, day-to-day communication.

Examples of Appropriate Messages

• “No school tomorrow due to inclement weather.”
• “Welcome to the first day of school!”
• “Bus #165 is running late due to road conditions.”

Messages to Avoid

• “Hi John, your child did not turn in their assignments today.”
• “Please call me back about your child’s behavior.”
• “Can you pick up your child early today?”

Additional Information

• SMS Packs: Text messaging is not included in Spark’s monthly subscription cost. Because of carrier fees, schools must purchase SMS Packs separately.
• One-Way Only: The SMS Center sends messages out, but recipients cannot reply to them.
• Consent Required: By law, recipients must give consent before receiving SMS messages. Consent can be collected during enrollment or through the SMS consent email.
• Emergency Use: SMS can be used in emergencies with fallback systems to improve delivery reliability. However, it should not be your school’s only emergency communication channel—always pair it with other methods.
• Coming Soon: Our mobile app will include push notifications—perfect for quick, day-to-day communication between teachers and families.

Getting Started

To begin using the SMS Center, go to the SMS section (located on the Admin side in the Microschool version). Before sending messages, make sure you’ve completed the following setup steps:

1. Purchase SMS Packs – Required since text messaging is not included in your monthly subscription.
2. Collect Consents – Individuals must opt in before they can receive SMS messages.
3. (Optional) Create Message Templates – Save time by preparing frequently used messages in advance.

SMS Packs

Purchasing SMS Packs

1. Navigate to SMS.
2. From either the main page or the Packs page, click Purchase Pack.
3. Choose the number of packs you’d like to purchase.
4. Click Go to Checkout.
5. Enter your payment information and click Pay.

Managing SMS Packs

1. Navigate to SMS → Packs.
2. View your purchased packs and check the remaining SMS balance.

Notes:

• SMS packs are used in the order they were purchased.
• Credits do not expire—your purchased packs will remain available until fully used.