Communications
- General Information
Communications
OSSD believes that communication between parents, students, the community, and the school district is important in providing the best-possible learning experience for students. OSSD welcomes and encourages parents to contact teachers, staff members, or administrators with their comments and concerns about their student’s progress or school activities.
Primary methods of direct communication include:
- School newsletters & Tuesday folders (K-6)
- Email - OSSD uses the primary email address submitted during registration
- SchoolMessenger - OSSD’s mass notification system used for sending emails, recorded phone calls, and text messages
Email communication between home and school is a valuable tool for parents and teachers. Since teachers are involved in instructing our children during the academic day, teachers may not be available to respond to parental emails until after school. Please allow at least 48 hours for your child’s teacher or administrator to respond to emails.
NOTE: Issues or concerns should first be addressed to your student’s classroom teacher prior to administration.
Parent Portal
This is where you will find your student’s class schedules, attendance, report cards, and transcripts, and where you can view your contact information on file with OSSD. Parents are encouraged to check Parent Portal routinely. If you have trouble accessing your account, please reach out to OSSD Technology at (228) 875-6654. You can access the page at pschool.ossdms.org/public.
Mass Notification System
We use email, text messages, and recorded phone calls to communicate with parents and staff members during routine communication, as well as emergency communications. Please make sure your contact information in PowerSchool is current so you do not miss important messages. If you need to update your contact information, please contact your student’s school.
Websites & Mobile App
The district website is a valuable resource for students, parents, staff, and the community. There, you can find information relating to any policies, procedures, calendar events, and much more. Parents and students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the school district and school-specific websites. Visit OSSD’s website at www.ossdms.org.
Social Media
OSSD and all of its schools also maintain official social media pages that provide another avenue for communicating updates, accomplishments, and upcoming events to the general public.
Photographs/Video of Students at School
It is the district’s desire to share the achievements and recognition earned by students with the broader community. This effort can be aided by the use of photos or video footage showing students involved in classroom and school-related activities. Some examples of how OSSD may publish a student’s name or photo/video are listed below:
- School-affiliated social media pages
- School-affiliated websites
- Local news (print, online, & TV)
- School yearbook
NOTE: Parents have the opportunity to opt-in/opt-out of their student’s photo or name being published by OSSD during the registration process.
- AEC
- K-3
- OSHS
- OSMS
- OSUE