Notifications

Send a message out through one or more channels — your website, email, text, the app, or Facebook — from any page you administer. Notifications are created from the Message/Post option in the add-content menu.

What you can send

A single notification can go to one or more channels at once. You pick a type, and each type maps to how the message is delivered:

Broadcast — reaches people directly by text (SMS), app/browser push, email, and in-app message, based on each recipient's own notification preferences.
Website Banner — a strip across the top of the page. Inheritable to sub-pages. By default it shows until 11:59 PM on the day you create it; use Schedule for Later to set a later "Through" date.
Website Overlay — a full-screen pop-up the visitor has to dismiss. Same inheritance and same default end-of-day expiry as a banner. A single message can be a banner or an overlay, not both.
News Post — a persistent SchoolFeed post that stays on the page and can be shared to other pages (see News).
Facebook — posts to a linked Facebook Page; supports an image.

You only see the channels your district has turned on. The type list is filtered to what your organization supports — so if you don't see SMS or Facebook, that channel hasn't been enabled for your district. Ask your district admin if you expect one that's missing.

If your district subscribes to BrightArrow (a paid add-on), you'll also see BrightArrow SMS, BrightArrow Email, and Bright Arrow Voice types, which send through your BrightArrow distribution lists. Setup of those lists is handled with BrightArrow; contact sales@schoolblocks.com to learn more.

Sending a notification

Click the + (add content) and choose Message/Post.
Pick one or more types (e.g. Broadcast, Website Banner). Banner and Overlay can't both be selected.
Type your message. For a Facebook post you can also attach an image.
If you chose a people-reaching type (Broadcast / BrightArrow), choose who receives it under Messaging Lists (see below).
Choose Publish Now or Schedule for Later and set the date and time.
Save. The message sends now, or waits until its scheduled time.

Email, SMS, push, and Broadcast messages support mail merge, so you can personalize each recipient's message.

Messaging Lists — who receives it

Broadcast messages go to a Messaging List. In the notification form, under Messaging Lists, check an existing list or click Create New List.

A list is built from rules — the rule builder offers Staff, Subscribers, Teachers, Students, and Parents / Guardian — plus any individually added people. The Staff/Teachers/Students/Guardians pools are populated by your directory and SIS sync (see Staff directory sync); Subscribers are the people who clicked Subscribe (the star) on the page.

A Broadcast with no Messaging List selected has no recipients — pick or create a list before sending. BrightArrow types use your BrightArrow distribution lists instead.

Reaching guardians/parents depends on your district syncing them in (via your Student Information System roster). If the Parents / Guardian rule has no one in it, that sync isn't set up yet — talk to your district admin.

Scheduling, editing, and history

Schedule ahead — any type can be scheduled with Schedule for Later and a future date/time; it sends automatically at that time.
Posting history — scroll to Previous Posts to see what went out, where, and when. From here you can delete a post, Repost it, or open Check Delivery Summary on a sent notification.
Changing a posted banner or overlay — it can be edited directly: find it under Previous Posts, click into it, change the message or dates (the end date can always be extended), and Save. Repost is for notifications that have already been sent (like a Broadcast) — it copies the content into a new message.

Troubleshooting

If a notification didn't arrive, work through the channel that was used.

Not receiving email - Confirm your email address is correct in your account's notification settings, and that email notifications are turned on. - Check your spam/junk folder, and add our domain to your safe-senders list. - Make sure your inbox isn't full.

Not receiving text (SMS) - Confirm your phone number is correct and that SMS is enabled in your notification settings. - Make sure your phone has service and can receive texts, and that you haven't blocked our number. - Some mobile carriers block automated messages — check with your carrier if nothing arrives.

Not receiving push on a computer/browser - Push is opt-in: when prompted, choose Allow notifications for our site. You can also enable it from your account's notification settings. - Use a supported, up-to-date browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) and stay signed in. - Check that the browser and the device aren't in Do Not Disturb, and that you're online.

Not receiving push in the app - Make sure notifications are allowed for the app in your device settings, and that the app is installed, updated, and signed in. - Check Do Not Disturb, and confirm the device has an internet connection. - On Android, make sure battery optimization isn't restricting the app; on iOS, that background app refresh is on.

Still nothing - Confirm you're signed in and that notifications are enabled in your account preferences. - Sign out and back in, or clear your browser cache, then try again. - If it persists, contact support with the date/time and the channel you expected.

FAQ

Where do I create a notification? The + add-content menu → Message/Post, on any page you administer.
Why don't I see SMS / Facebook as an option? The type list only shows channels your district has enabled. If one's missing, it hasn't been turned on for your organization.
Why can't I pick both a banner and an overlay? A single message can be one or the other — pick one per message.
How long does a website banner stay up? By default until 11:59 PM on the day it's created. To keep it up longer, use Schedule for Later and set a later "Through" date — you can also extend the end date of an already-posted banner or overlay.
Can I schedule a notification for later? Yes — choose Schedule for Later and set the date and time.
How do followers sign up? They click Subscribe (the star) on a page while signed in; subscribed pages collect on their SchoolFeed page.
Can I reach parents? Only if guardians are synced in from your SIS. If the Parents / Guardian rule in the Messaging List builder has no one in it, that sync isn't configured yet.

Last updated: June 2026.