If you’re a school considering a school communication app, you’re probably aware of the many benefits it can bring, like reducing paper wastage, streamlining administration, and providing reliable communication to parents.

But when it comes to pitching the idea to parents, it’s essential to communicate how the app will make their lives easier. After all, they’re the ones who will be using it the most! You may hear questions like, “Why do we need a mobile app? What’s the advantage of a school app over email or Facebook?”

These are all valid questions. We understand that you need to get buy-in from parents, so we’ve compiled a list of the most common parent questions we hear and provide you with some clear answers below.

Let’s explore the benefits of a school app for parents!

For parents, managing their child’s school life can sometimes feel like a full-time job. From keeping track of important school events to submitting permission slips, absentee notices, staying on top of it all can be overwhelming. A school communication app can make their lives just a bit easier.

All school information in one place, in your pocket

With a school communication app like Audiri, you can access all the information you need from your school in one place. Whether it’s important events, last-minute notices, or permission forms, you’ll always have the latest updates at your fingertips. Plus, because the app is customisable, your school can link to frequently used services like canteen payments, uniform shops, or learning management platforms, making Audiri your go-to app for all things school-related.

2. Only messages that are relevant to YOU

With Audiri, you can subscribe to relevant groups, so you’re only receiving communications that are relevant to you. No more being bombarded by emails for sports teams your children don’t belong to! With Audiri, you have complete control over the messages you receive.

3. Submit forms from ANYWHERE, anytime

Submitting absentee notices and permission slips has never been easier. With Audiri, you can do it all from your phone, no matter where you are. No more misplaced notes in the bottom of the school bag or waiting to speak to the school receptionist.

4. Fewer emails in your inbox!

Let’s face it, we’re all drowning in emails. Statista forecast in 2023,  347.3 billion emails sent and received per day worldwide. That’s a lot of emails. With Audiri, you’ll receive push notifications straight to your phone’s home screen, ensuring important messages get delivered cutting through the noise.

5. Facebook has its limitations

Over the years, a lot of schools have adopted Facebook as a means of enhancing their engagement with parents. While Facebook and other social media platforms can play a crucial role in a school’s communication plan, it’s essential to acknowledge the platform’s limitations. Not everyone has a Facebook account. Recently Facebook has faced criticism lately for how they handle user data. As their revenue model depends on advertising, it’s not surprising that their priority lies with their clients (advertisers) rather than their users. Consequently, school messages on Facebook will always have to compete with paying advertisers for attention. Therefore, there’s no assurance that the crucial updates from your school will be seen by the intended audience amidst all the other noise on the platform.

6. Parents are more likely to have a smartphone than a Facebook account.

Although Facebook has a vast audience, with about 70% of the population having an active meta account (source: hootsuite, https://blog.hootsuite.com/facebook-statistic), it still leaves out 30% of the population who are not using these social media platforms. On the other hand, Australia has one of the highest rates of smartphone ownership in the world and anticipated to reach 87% by 2026. (source: statista Link: https://www.statista.com/statistics/321477/smartphone-user-penetration-in-australia/) Therefore, using Audiri has a greater potential to reach and engage with a larger proportion of our school’s audience.

7. You have complete control over your content

With Audiri, you own the content you post. There’s no need to worry about Facebook’s or Metaverse privacy policy or who may have access to your school’s information. Plus, Audiri gives you complete control over which groups users have access to, when posts should be removed, and who can access the app.

A school communication app is a must-have for any school looking to streamline communication with parents. From putting all the information you need in one convenient place to ensuring you only receive messages that are relevant to you, Audiri makes managing your child’s school life that much simpler.

So why does your school need a mobile app? Because it’s the easiest way to stay connected, informed, and in control.

If you’re thinking about introducing a school communication app, make sure to clearly explain the benefits to parents. Alternatively, why not have a chat with me, Andrew Brodie andrew@audiri.com.au?

I can give you some additional tips on how to manage the conversation with your school community and ensure parents are onboard.

With over 1,600 schools already seeing the advantages of this partnership, you can feel confident that this innovative solution will positively enhance communication and simplify cashless payments for your school.

Start using Audiri with My School Connect now and enjoy the benefits of this partnership today!