Hi Friends!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Today I’m sharing all about how I use the Bloomz app to communicate with families in my classroom. In the past, I’ve used the Remind app, but it didn’t have all the features that I needed to make communicating as easy as possible!
This past school year I decided to try out Bloomz and I LOVED it!!
Today I’m sharing all about how I use the Bloomz app to communicate with families in my classroom. In the past, I’ve used the Remind app, but it didn’t have all the features that I needed to make communicating as easy as possible!
This past school year I decided to try out Bloomz and I LOVED it!!
Bloomz is a FREE communication app that allows you to safely communicate with families!
Bloomz is simple to set up and requires no exchange of phone numbers!
Bloomz is simple to set up and requires no exchange of phone numbers!
It’s so much more than a messaging app though! Check out all it can do!
Bloomz is 100% safe to use.
There is NO exchange of phone numbers.
Families just download the app and type in the class code to get started.
I love that I am able to communicate with families quickly. I can send a message to just one family OR the entire class. When parents send me a message, I get an alert on my phone from Bloomz, like a text message. Parents can turn on notifications so they are alerted when you send them a message or make a post.
I use the Post feature most often. I use this to post every day updates and photos of what’s going on in the classroom! Families LOVE to see their children’s experiences at school! It also gives families a talking point at home. We know that when families ask their children “What did you do at school today?” that the majority respond with “Nothing”. When families see the learning that is taking place or the pictures from recess, they can ask their child more targeted questions about their day! Parents can “like” and comment on these posts too! Of course, you can turn the comments off if you aren’t comfortable with that. You can also schedule the post for a certain date and time too!
#winning
#winning
Perhaps you want to attach a form or classroom newsletter to your post, you can do that too!
Families can also use the post feature!
We went on our field trip to the zoo this year, and parents took pictures of their groups of kids and posted them so that every one could see! Isn’t that awesome?! Have I sold you yet?!
Families can also use the post feature!
We went on our field trip to the zoo this year, and parents took pictures of their groups of kids and posted them so that every one could see! Isn’t that awesome?! Have I sold you yet?!
Keep reading…I can promise you it gets BETTER!
I can also post Alerts or Announcements in Bloomz. An example of an announcement might be “Please remember to send in your permission slip for the field trip by Friday!” You can also pin it to the top of the feed for a period of time. In looking at that announcement, I would set it up to be pinned to the top through Friday, so that families see it over and over!
You can also post Alerts in Bloomz. An alert will notify families immediately. An example of an alert might be, “We are on a 2-hour delay due to the hazardous weather conditions!” An alert is used to communicate *urgent messages!
My absolute favorite feature of Bloomz is that parents can communicate with one another on their own!! They can send each other messages!! (if you aren’t comfortable with this or it becomes a problem, you can turn it OFF!) You will not see these messages either! This means that when a child goes home and tells their family about their new best friend, the parent can send a private message to that child’s family to set up play dates, etc.
This is a really BIG deal (especially in Kindergarten)!!
You can also create Events with the Bloomz app. Perhaps your school is holding a Book Fair, or a Craft Show and you want families to have it on their calendar. Just create an event and you can add it to the calendar! There are many options to use within Events. You can require an RSVP, ask for volunteers or items to be donated. Families can RSVP, sign up to volunteer or sign up to bring supplies for the event all in the Bloomz App!
The Volunteer feature is a great way to get families involved in the classroom. I use this when I need help with classroom parties. You can request items or volunteers, and it generates slots for families to sign up. Another way to use the Volunteer feature is by titling it “Supplies Needed” and asking for items that you need in the classroom. Families are often happy to help, and this is a great way to ask for supplies without making any one feel obligated. Families can sign up if they would
like to donate, or pass.
Another great feature of Bloomz is that you can set up Parent-Teacher Conferences! And by set up, I mean that Bloomz does all the work for you! You just select the days for conferences and pick a start time and end time. You can adjust the time slot duration to reflect how long your conferences last. You can even put a break in for a meal or a potty break! How awesome right?!
Once you set this up, families will be notified that conferences are posted. They can click right on it and sign up for available times. Conferences are set on a first-come, first-served basis. I was blown away that the majority of my conferences were scheduled within just hours of posting this!
So now you’re probably wondering how you get started! It’s a super easy, and speedy quick process.
First you are going to click the image below!
It’s going to take you to the Bloomz site, and you’ll need to choose Join Bloomz.
After selecting to join, you’ll need to select your role.
Then you’ll fill in your information and select Sign Up.
Next, you’ll have some tasks to complete. First, you’ll want to download the app to your phone. Just click on the words and it will show you what to do! Second, verify your email. Third, take a quick tour. I recommend doing this so that you can see the format and learn a little more about the features!
The Fourth step on this page is Create a Class. Once you click on this, you’ll be able to add your school, (if it’s not already on there!) name your class, and allow or disable the parent messaging feature.
Once you have your class created, it’s time to invite parents. There are 3 different ways to invite families. Choose whichever works best for you. I use the class access code.
If your school has a “Back to School” night or a “Curriculum Night” I would recommend getting parents to sign up right then and there. You can have the access code displayed somewhere in the classroom. All parents would have to do is download the app and type in the code to join your class!!
Of course families aren’t always able to attend those school events, so you can easily print step by step directions and send them home with their child!
I hope that this post was helpful to you in learning more about Bloomz and setting it up! If you have any questions, or want to know more about Bloomz put it in the comments below!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Have a fabulous day! 🙂
