Student Square, a new platform for communication with students, is being put into effect at Oak Park High School as a way to contact students directly. OPHS started using Parent Square last spring but added Student Square this fall.

Before Student Square, the only way the school could contact students directly was through Naviance, which goes straight to a student’s school email.

Principal Kevin Buchanan noted that the Student Square app is being introduced because other methods of contacting the students were not as effective in reaching the students because many of them do not check their school email regularly.

“Student Square, if used properly allows for students who download the app to receive notifications,” Buchanan said. “I think we’ve got about close to 600 kids who’ve already downloaded the app, so they’re already getting notifications.”

Student Square is open to only Oak Park High School students and parents, making it easier for the administration to directly contact students in select classes as well as the community.

“When we had all the senior classes changed this year because Mrs. Wenker went back to the middle school, I could target just Mrs. Wenker’s third-period class and tell those kids where to go,” Buchanan said.

The elementary schools in the district first started using Parent Square for organizations such as the Parent-Teacher Association and the Parent-Faculty Association. It then expanded to the middle school and high school. The app allows for the district to send out information as well as to collect the community’s feedback and concerns.

“It is really nice to have that reminder there so if I miss anything from an email or if I need to know anything about school it’s just there and it’s very convenient,” senior Megan Johnson said. “I think my mom uses Parent Square for the same reason I do, to check up on notifications, emails or information from the school.”

Student Square can also be used to share important updates and information. Recently, it was used to inform the students and parents of the school to not drop off and pick up students in the red zone in front of the library.

“We have been informed by the California Highway Patrol that they cannot stop in the red zone in front of the library. They may begin ticketing vehicles tomorrow. Please use Kanan Rd., the front of the school and the back of the school for pick up and drop off,” Assistant Principal Jason Meskis wrote on Aug. 14.

Teachers can also send out messages to their classes.

“[Students] don’t have to check their email it just pops up in the app notifications and they get all our messages and have full access to parent square posts and everything that is going on district-wide Buchanan said.