Connect with IUSD: Resources to Support Parent and Family Engagement

IUSD Insights October 2024

As part of IUSD’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, we have launched the “Connect with IUSD” campaign to ensure that our diverse community can quickly and easily access the resources, services, and information you need in your preferred languages and accessible formats to support your child(ren)’s education. Throughout the last school year, we gathered feedback through the Annual Survey, as well as various committees and meetings with students and parents to understand how we can enhance our communications. You asked for greater awareness of IUSD programs and emphasized the need for content in multiple languages and accessible formats. We listened, and we are taking action.

In addition to the Helpful Links Resource Guide that was recently mailed to all IUSD families, we are excited to introduce two new online resources: the Connect with IUSD webpage and the Communications webpage. These websites offer a variety of tutorials, including instructions on how to manage ParentSquare and customize how you receive communications from the District and your child’s school. You can also set your language preferences for ParentSquare, the Parent Portal, and the IUSD and school websites.

ParentSquare

We want to ensure that you stay connected and informed, which is why IUSD uses ParentSquare as our District and school communications platform. ParentSquare allows us to send emails, text messages, phone calls, and alerts to parents and guardians. 

Parent Portal (Aeries) is another essential tool for parents and guardians. You can access your child’s academic progress, attendance records, grades, and other important information through the Parent Portal. Keeping your contact details up to date is crucial for receiving timely notifications and updates from both the District and your child’s school. Click here to learn how to set your preferred language.

UserWay Accessibility Widget

To further support accessibility, we’ve added the UserWay accessibility widget across all IUSD and school websites. This widget includes several features to enhance web accessibility and make our online resources more usable for all community members. These features include translations, a screen reader, keyboard navigation, dyslexia-friendly settings, and more. 

Parent and Family Engagement

These improvements are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that all families can easily access the information and resources available on our websites and to support increased parent and family engagement.

On behalf of the IUSD Board of Education and our leadership team, we hope you will explore and utilize these resources throughout the school year. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to provide the highest quality educational experience for all of our more than 38,000 students.

Listen to a quick message from Superintendent Walker in multiple language formats:

Arabic

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Terry Walker with Arabic "Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed

Chinese Simplified

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Terry Walker with Simplified Chinese Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed

Chinese Traditional

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Terry Walker with Traditional "Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed

Farsi

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Terry Walker with Farsi "Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed

Japanese

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Terry Walker with Japanese "Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed

Korean

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Terry Walker with Korean "Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed

Russian

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Terry Walker with Russian "Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed

Spanish

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Terry Walker with Spanish "Connect with IUSD" logo overlayed