When to Use Two-Way Chat, Batch Notification, and School Announcements

Learning Genie provides three ways to communicate with families: Two-Way Chat, Batch Notification, and School Announcements. While all three can be used to send messages to families, they are designed for different types of communication.

The easiest way to choose is to consider who needs to receive the message, whether you expect a reply, and whether the message should be a formal announcement.

Quick Comparison

Two-Way Chat

Two-Way Chat is best for personal, ongoing communication between staff and families.

Messages, photos, and files remain in the family's Chat thread, so staff and families can see the conversation history and continue replying in the same place.

Best used for:

• Questions or updates about an individual child

• Pickup or schedule changes

• Missing items

• Behavior or classroom updates

• Requests that require a response

• Any conversation where you expect a back-and-forth with the family

Example:
"Can Emma be picked up at 2:00 PM instead of 3:00 PM today?"

📖 Want to learn how to send a Chat message?
[Learn how to use Two-Way Chat → How to use chat feature on the web portal ]

Batch Notification

Batch Notification is a shortcut within Chat that lets you write one message for all families in a classroom.

Instead of sending the same message to each child individually, Learning Genie places a copy of the message into each family's separate Chat thread. Families only see their own Chat conversation and can reply privately just like they would to any other Chat message.

Best used for:

• Classroom reminders

• Picture Day or field trip reminders

• Items families need to bring

• Classroom schedule changes

• The same question or reminder for every family in a class

Example:
"Reminder: Picture Day is tomorrow! Please have your child arrive by 9:00 AM."

Use Batch Notification when everyone in one classroom needs the same information and replies are welcome.

📖 Want to learn how to send a Batch Notification?
[Learn how to send a Batch Notification → How to send a batch notification (Web), How to send a batch notification (App) ]

School Announcements

School Announcements are designed for formal or broader communication from your program, agency, or site.

Unlike Batch Notifications, these messages do not appear in Chat. Families receive them separately under School Message in the Parent App.

Depending on their role and permissions, authorized users can send announcements to groups such as all parents, specific sites or classes, individual families, or staff. School Announcements include a subject line, can include attachments, and can be sent through the app, email, or both.

Message History also allows authorized users to review delivery and read information.

Best used for:

• School or program closures

• Policy updates

• Enrollment or registration deadlines

• Program-wide events

• Site announcements

• Director or administrator messages

• Important notices or documents

• Messages that should also be delivered by email

Example:
"School Closure Notice: All program sites will be closed Monday, September 21."

Use School Announcements when the message is official, intended for a broader audience, needs a subject line or email delivery, or requires read tracking.

📖 Want to learn how to send a School Announcement?
[Learn how to send School Announcements → How to Send Announcements to Staff and Families ]

Which One Should I Use?

Here's a simple way to decide:

One child or an ongoing conversation?
→ Use Two-Way Chat

Same message for every family in one classroom, and families may need to reply?
→ Use Batch Notification

Official message, broader audience, subject line, email delivery, or read tracking?
→ Use School Announcements

One Scenario, Three Different Uses

For example, if there is a schedule change:

• Two-Way Chat: "Can Emma be picked up at 2:00 PM today?" — This concerns one child and may require a conversation.

• Batch Notification: "Reminder: Our classroom will dismiss at 2:00 PM this Friday." — Everyone in the class needs the same reminder, but families can still reply privately.

• School Announcements: "All program sites will close at 2:00 PM this Friday." — This is a broader, official notice that may also need to be sent by email.

Quick rule: Personal conversation → Chat | Classroom-wide message → Batch Notification | Official or broad communication → School Announcements

Need Help?

If you run into issues or have questions, the Learning Genie Support Team is here for you!

Email: help@learning-genie.com
Phone: 760-576-4822