Sign-up for FCS' Info & Updates
- Read Me First
- Mobile App Instructions
- Powerschool Parent Portal
- Opt-In/Out
- Inclement Weather Information
- FAQ
Read Me First
Finalsite Communications is how Franklin County Schools communicates to parents and guardians about inclement weather, schools closings, delays and bus changes. If you receive an email, text or call from the Finalsite Communications system, it contains important information .By signing up for Finalsite Communications, you will receive information from multiple sources through one convenient app. Franklin County Schools, as well as your child's school administrators and teachers will send you vital updates and information. You can also check grades and track attendance from the same place.
Download the “Franklin County Schools NC” app from the app store. Login by clicking the Student/Parent Login icon on the app and by using the email address on file with the school. If you used a gmail/google email then choose sign in using Google. If you used a non Google account, type in your email and follow the prompts.
OTHER RESOURCES
If you are a member of the community (and not a parent or legal guardian). You can still receive updates from us by downloading the app and configuring your notification settings.
- Make sure you "Opt-In" to receive text messages. Instructions are HERE.
- To download our app and receive teacher messaging and choose how you receive communication from us (phone, email, text, etc.) please follow the instructions HERE.
- If you need instructions on how to create a PowerSchool Parent Portal Account, please click HERE.
If you are a member of the community (and not a parent or legal guardian). You can still receive updates from us by downloading the app and configuring your notification settings.
Mobile App Instructions
About
Download & Login
To make sure that you’re receiving school news and alerts in the ways that work best for you, Franklin County Schools offers the option for you to download the Franklin County Schools app and update your information in the Power School Parent Portal so all of your information is in ONE place.
Sign up for the FREE Franklin County Schools app today to:
- Access the Franklin County Schools app from your phone
- Set your communications preferences for calls, emails, texts, and more
- Receive a variety of school messages (classroom and group updates, activity alerts, school and district notifications) in one single app
- Review your messages on any device – smartphone, laptop, etc.
The email or phone number you sign up with must match your information in Power School to claim your account. If you do not have an email in Power School please contact your child's school and update your information.
With the new Franklin County Schools app, parents and community members have 24/7/365 access to important school notifications such as weather and emergency alerts.
In addition, the app can allow teachers and parents to directly communicate with each other, individually or in groups, all from within the same app.
Get started with the Franklin County Schools app today. Search for Franklin County Schools (NC) on your phone's app store to download the FREE Franklin County Schools mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Logging into the App
- Select the "Parent/Student Login" icon from the app.
- Login using Facebook, Google, or Apple. Or, to receive your one-time passcode to log in, enter your email or cell phone for your parent account. Then retrieve and enter your passcode. If multiple user accounts associated with the Google email address, you will need to select the account you want to open.
Contact your school for any login issues. - Select Login.
You will see new icons that will have your name and the names of your children. Select their icons to see their grades, balances, assignments and other information.
Set Your Alerts
Set your alerts
You can set your notification preferences immediately after logging in, or anytime through Settings.
Turn on or off any push alerts including:
- Missing assignments
- Class grade drop
- Low assignment score
- Class grade updates
- Assignment grades
- Cafeteria balances
- Library dues
Need to follow several schools, or want to change your preferred language?
Check out how to manage your account.
Need to log out?
- To log out of the app, select the Settings icon to open the Settings menu.
- Select Log Out under Miscellaneous.
- Select Log Out on the confirmation message.
Reach 2-Way Communication
Powerschool Parent Portal
How to Access the PowerSchool Parent Portal
The PowerSchool Parent Portal will allow you to access a student's current grades, attendance, confirm correct contact information and review registration information.
Please note that this site is different from the "Franklin County Schools" mobile app. The Powerschool Parent Portal allows access to grades, assignments, etc. The district mobile app includes all this information, school communications, and more.
To access this information you will need to follow these steps:
In order to to get started, you need a PowerSchool Parent Portal Account.
To get one, stop by your child's school. Please bring a photo ID with you to get your access code. Each student needs their own code, but you can link all of your children into one, simple account. Make sure you update your email address and mobile phone number with the school's data manager during that time.
1. Open the Internet browser on your computer
2. Go to https://www.fcschools.net and under the Parent Links click on PowerSchool Parent Portal or click here.
3. Go to Create Account Tab. Click Create Account.
4. Enter the requested information to create your Parent Account Login.
5. Use the Access ID and Access Password provided by your child's school.
You can track academic progress from any location that has internet access. If you do not have internet access, the public library has computers for public use. Please keep your password confidential so only you can access the information. For a more convenient all-inclusive experience download our district app here.
PowerSchool Features:
-The Grades and Attendance tab allows you to check assignments and grades.
-The Grades History tab will show you the grades your child received in previous grading periods.
-The Teacher Comments tab is used to access current teacher comments for your student.
-The School Bulletin tab has current announcements for our school.
-The Demographics information will show you what phone numbers and email addresses we have on file for you. Please check this frequently. Report any changes to your school’s data manager, immediately. If you have any questions regarding the use of PowerSchool please contact your school's office.
Opt-In/Out
How to Opt-In/Out
Users can opt out of:
- Phone calls: Call the Finalsite Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)".
- Text (SMS) messages: Reply STOP to any Finalsite system text or to "60680" for non-emergency messages. Reply STOP to "54968" to opt out of emergency messages.
- Emails: Click the unsubscribe link from any email they receive.
Users can opt back into:
- Phone calls: Call the Finalsite Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)" from the phone line that has been opted out.
- Text (SMS) messages: Reply START to "60680" from the phone line that has been opted out for non-emergency messages. Reply START to "54968" for emergency messages.
You’ll want to repeat the opt-in process for any wireless numbers that you wish to include.
In addition to performing the opt-in process above, you’ll want to ensure that the district has your wireless number(s) in our student information database. If you haven’t already provided that information to your school, please contact them and provide them with that information.
Please note, although the district does not charge you for this service, it does not pay for text message charges that may be incurred by you for sending or receiving text messages. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check out our FAQ below about the opt-in process. It will help you troubleshoot through issues, failed messages, and errors.
Inclement Weather Information
In the event of inclement weather, Franklin County Schools may close or delay school. This decision is made after consulting the National Weather Service, local weather forecasters, and area law enforcement officials. Additionally, FCS staff members drive throughout the county to assess road conditions firsthand to better determine accessibility of buses and personal transportation to roads necessary to travel to and from school.
Unless otherwise announced, schools will be open on their regular schedule – regardless of prior closures or delays. As soon as the decision is made, Franklin County Schools will do the following to notify our community:
- Update our district website and official social media accounts
- Notify our schools, which will typically update their own websites and main phone lines
- Send emails, texts, and/or voice calls to parents and staff via district mass-communication system
- Notify local radio and television stations
If the weather is severe enough to make a decision the day or night before, we will do so as soon as possible so that parents have ample time to make arrangements for their child(ren).
Unless otherwise noted, the following procedures will be followed in the event of a closing or delay.
Before and After-school Programs:
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- If the opening of school is delayed, Before School child care will not operate.
- If school is closed, Before School and After School child care will not operate.
- If school is closed early due to inclement weather, After School child care will not operate.
Breakfast may be served at the principal's discretion if school is delayed one hour or more. Athletic and extracurricular events will be canceled if school is closed or dismissed early.
Employee Information
Please Note: FCS employees are expected to use their best judgment in deciding whether to come to work. They may take an annual leave day or make up the day at a time agreeable with their supervisor. Teachers cannot use leave on student days if schools are closed for students. On days that buildings are closed for staff, staff should not report on site.
Helpful Links
District Social Media Accounts
Local Print/Digital Outlets
Regional Television News Outlets
FAQ
App Support
Several accounts seem to link to your email address. Please contact your school admin to get access to your account.
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More than one parent has the same email address associated with them in Powerschool. Please have the school change the email address for the other account. Once changes are made, they will sync overnight.
No account found - We did not find any account with the information you provided.
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Contact the school to ensure that you have an email address on file associated with your account in Powerschool. Once changes are made, they will sync overnight.
Not all of my children are showing once I login to the app.
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Contact the school of the child that is not showing up. Check that you have proper access checked in Powerschool for that student. Once changes are made, they will sync overnight.
I’m not receiving emails or text messages from the school/district.
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Contact the school to make sure that you have a mobile number and/or email address on file.
How do recipients "Opt-In" to receive text messages?
1. Confirm the text device number(s) are in PowerSchool.
2. Phone calls: Call the Finalsite Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)" from the phone line that has been opted out.
3. Text (SMS) messages: Reply START to "60680" from the phone line that has been opted out for non-emergency messages. Reply START to "54968" for emergency messages.
Note: Depending on the data synchronization configuration, it may take 24 hours or more for numbers to be updated from PowerSchool.
How do recipients opt-out of receiving text messages?
Recipients not wishing to receive text messages to a particular number can simply do one of the following:
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Don't opt-in and don't reply to the opt-in invitation message.
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Phone calls: Call the Finalsite Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)".
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Text (SMS) messages: Reply STOP to any Blackboard system text or to "60680" for non-emergency messages. Reply STOP to "54968" to opt out of emergency messages.
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Emails: Click the unsubscribe link from any email they receive.
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Request that your organizations Communicate system administrator add the number to the account's phone number block list.
Can the text messages come from a district phone number, instead of the short code?
No. Short codes are the industry standard, and the only fast and reliable way to deliver mass text notifications.
“Opted-In", but I'm not receiving texts?
Ensure that the district has your correct device number in PowerSchool. It may take 24 hours for a number to become active after being changed or added to the district's system.
Send a text with Reply START to "60680.” You should receive an opt-in confirmation message from the service.
If you want to receive texts on multiple devices, each device number must complete the Opt-In process.
Any other response - or no response: indicates the recipient should contact their wireless device provider to have SMS messaging/premium content enabled (see below for more details).
What does it mean if I texted "Y" , “START”,or "yes" and I received some sort of error message back?
If you receive what appears to be an error message, similar to one of the following, it most likely means that short code text messaging is not enabled on your wireless subscription plan:
Service access denied
Message failed
Shortcode may have expired or shortcode texting may be blocked on your account
Does not participate
These replies DO NOT indicate that the wireless provider cannot receive messages. Rather, they are an indication that the specific mobile device does not have short code SMS texting enabled for that number (this is sometimes disabled by default on company provided cell phones). To address this, contact your wireless provider.
Note: Providers sometimes use various names for this type of texting service (e.g. short code, SMS, premium, etc.). If you simply ask about text messaging, your carrier may assume you are referring to person-to-person. Therefore, be very clear to refer to "short code" text messages. Most TV programs that have a voting component use short code SMS messaging (e.g. American Idol, Dancing with the Stars). In addition, many department or grocery stores use SMS to distribute coupons and deals. Using an example such as this can be helpful in clarifying the type of texting service you want to enable.
Will I be charged for the text messages that I receive?
We do not charge recipients for the text messages that they receive or send to the short code; however, wireless providers may charge for individual text messages, depending on the plan associated with the wireless device. Please consult your carrier if you are uncertain.
Contact: communications@fcschools.net