Messages is an effective communication tool (much like a bulletin board) that teachers and admins can use to direct messages to specific people or targeted groups of people without having to depend on email transmission or manage email lists. After a message is posted, users will see it when they log into the system and click the Message icon. If configured to open automatically, the message board window will open immediately upon login without the user having to click the icon.

1. If your message board doesn't open automatically when you login, click the Messages icon that appears on the main administrative interface to open it yourself.
   
   
   
   
2. In the Messages For window you will see a list of messages that have been posted to groups of which you are a member. For instance, a teacher may have posted a message to families and copied administration. You, as a member of the administration group, will see the message on your board.
   
3. Select a message on left, to read content on right
   
4. New messages that you have not read yet will be marked with a yellow star
   
5. Use the Reload button to check for new messages that may have been posted since the window loaded
   
6. To mark a message as read, select the message and then click the Mark as Read button. Notice that as soon as you mark the message as read, the button changes to Mark as Unread so that you are able to reverse the action if you so choose.
   
7. To hide the message from your list after you read it, select the message and then click the Mark as Read and Hide button. Notice that as soon as you mark the message as read and hide, the button changes to Unhide and the message remains visible. This allows you to change your mind and unhide it if you wish. If you keep it hidden the message will disappear the next time you reload. Also be aware that the option to hide a message is at the discretion of the sender. If the sender does not want to allow you to hide the message, the Mark as Read and Hide button will be disabled.
   
8. To send an email reply, select the message and then click the Reply by Email button.
   
9. Use the Visible button to toggle between viewing All messages, only visible messages, or only hidden messages.
   
10. When you are done reading your messages you can close the window.
    
    
    
    

1. Click the Operations icon
   
2. Then click the Messages Icon in the Operations menu window
   
   
   
   
3. This will open the Manage Admin Messages window where you will see a list of all previously posted messages.
   
4. To post a new message, click the Add Message button and select the main recipient group that you want to view the message.
   
   
   
   
5. This will open a new window with a form to complete.
   -In the Title field, enter the title of the message.
   -In the Reply-To Email field, enter the email address for responses.
   -Then notice that there is a field for each major recipient group. The group that you chose earlier will be To in the field since that is the group you want to send the message to. All other groups will have by default Do Not Show in the field. You can use the arrow to choose other options such as making them a To or CC recipient.
   -In the Priority field, enter a number corresponding to the position you want the message to be listed in the recipients message board.
   -In the Type field, choose the type of message from among the drop down menu options.
   -In the Date Visible and the Date Hidden fields, use the calendar button to pick a date for the message to appear and a date for the message to be hidden from the recipient's view.
   -In the Internal Note field, you can write a note to yourself that will not be visible to the recipients.
   -Check the Draft box, if the message is not ready to post yet. Un-check the box to post the message when you click Add at the bottom of the form.
   -Check the Keep at Top box, if you want the message to always appear at the top of the recipients list of messages. Un-check the box if that is not necessary.
   -Check the Can Hide box, if you want the recipients to be able to hide the message after they've read it. Un-check the box if you want to disable the recipient's option to hide the message.
   -Check the Do Not Re-Use Next Year box, if you don't want this message available to re-use next year. Un-check the box if you do want to save the message for re-use.
   -In the large blank field, enter the text of your message.
   -Click Add to post the message and return to the previous screen.
   
   
   
   
6. Once posted, the message will appear in the Manage Admin Messages window.
   
7. Select a message on left, to view the content on right.
   
8. To edit a message, select it and then click the Edit Message button.
   
9. To delete a message, select it and then click the Delete Message button.
   
   
   
   

1. Click the Classes icon.
   
2. Select the course that you want to post a message about.
   
   
   
   
3. Select the Messages tab.
   
4. Click the Add Messages button.
   
5. This will open a new window with a form to complete.
   -In the Title field, enter the title of the message.
   -In the Section Numbers field, enter the section numbers that correspond to the recipients that you want to view this message. For instance if you have 3 sections of a particular course and only want to post the message for section 2, enter 2 in the field; if you want to post it for sections 1 and 3, enter 1,3 in the field; leave the field blank to post it to all sections.
   -In the Families and Students fields, use the arrow to choose whether to post the message To the group, CC the group, or Do Not Show to the group.
   -In the Priority field, enter a number corresponding to the position you want the message to be listed in the recipients message board.
   -In the Date Visible and the Date Hidden fields, use the calendar button to pick a date for the message to appear and a date for the message to be hidden from the recipient's view.
   -In the Internal Note field, you can write a note to yourself that will not be visible to the recipients.
   -Check the Draft box, if the message is not ready to post yet. Un-check the box to post the message when you click Add at the bottom of the form.
   -Check the Do Not Re-Use Next Year box, if you don't want this message available to re-use next year. Un-check the box if you do want to save the message for re-use.
   -In the large blank field, enter the text of your message.
   -Click Add to post the message and return to the previous screen.
   
   
   
   
6. Once posted, the message will appear in the list of the Message tab.
   
7. Select a message on left, to view the content on right.
   
8. To edit a message, select it and then click the Edit Message button.
   
9. To delete a message, select it and then click the Delete Message button.