This article will guide you through creating and managing posts on the Message Board, including permissions, privacy settings, and best practices. By the end, you'll know how to communicate effectively with your community using the Message Board.
What is the Message Board?
The Message Board is a central space where you can post updates, reminders, and announcements for families and staff. It helps keep everyone informed and connected.
Note: Only admins can initially create posts on the Message Board. Teachers may need permission granted by the admin to post. Parents can view posts but cannot create them.
How to Create a Message Board Post
Follow these steps to add a new post:
Log in to your Educa site and navigate to the Message Board view.
Click the “+ Message” button at the top right.
Enter a clear and concise title for your post.
Write your message in the text box. You can add images and videos by clicking the “Add Media” button, or a PDF and Word file by using the "Attach File" button (limited to one file per post).
Choose who can see your post (e.g. all families, specific groups or classes).
Choose who will receive a notification for this post (parents, teachers, all family members attached to a child's profile).
Choose to allow, approve, or disallow comments. Note that visible comments can be seen by all everyone who has access to the message.
Once you're happy with your post, click “Publish” to make it live.
Tip: 📌 Pin important messages to the top of your Message Board for increased visibility by ticking the "Pinned" option at the bottom of a post.
Displaying Message Board Posts
By default, Message Board posts appear in a chronological feed, with any pinned messages shown at the top.
If you prefer a headline-only view, you can switch the View from Feed to Index for a more compact layout.
Permissions and Privacy Settings
Default Settings
By default, only Site Admins can post on the Message Board.
Granting Teacher Permissions
Site Admins can grant posting rights to teachers by adjusting settings in each teacher’s profile (in edit mode). This allows teachers to communicate with families of their assigned children in Educa.
Class Privacy Settings
With Class Privacy Enabled: Teachers can only send posts to their assigned classes or groups.
Without Class Privacy: Teachers with Message Board posting rights can message all parents.
Visibility of Posting Rights
If you’re a teacher and cannot see the orange "+Message" button, it means you do not have posting rights. Contact the Site Admin to request access.
Example Use Cases for the Message Board
Here are some ways you can use the Message Board:
Event Announcements: Share important centre events like family evenings, holiday closures, or field trips.
Reminders: Post reminders about deadlines, payments, or upcoming meetings.
Centre News: Post updates about new staff, changes in policies, or anything relevant to the families. Attach a centre newsletter for convenience.
Sharing Moments: Share photos or videos of children participating in special activities, and celebrate their achievements.
Tip: Keep your posts short and engaging. Adding images or video links helps make them more interactive.
Editing or Deleting Posts
You can update or remove posts as needed:
To edit a post, click the “Edit” button on the post. Make your changes and save.
To delete a post, click the three dots (•••) menu and choose “Delete.” Confirm to remove the post permanently.
Note on Parental Access: Parents can only see Message Board posts created after they join the site. To make sure important earlier posts are visible to new parents, republish those posts with a current date.
Best Practices for Message Board Posts
Be timely: Share updates as soon as possible to keep everyone informed.
Example: Post reminders about upcoming events or deadlines well in advance so families have time to prepare.
Be clear: Use bullet points or headings to break up text for easy reading.
Engage parents: Encourage comments and interactions from families to create a more dynamic community.
Stay relevant: Avoid sharing personal information or off-topic content.
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