Communications

The Communications Department at Elkhart Community Schools helps keep families informed and connected by sharing important news and updates from across the district. The team promotes student and school successes, supports communication between schools and families, maintains up-to-date information on the district and school websites, and works to ensure all messages are accessible to every family.

All media requests and inquiries are handled through the Communications Department. The team serves as the district’s main point of contact for news outlets and works to ensure accurate and timely information is shared with the public.

ParentSquare

ParentSquare is a simple, secure platform that helps you stay connected with your school community. With ParentSquare, you can:

Receive messages and updates via email, text, or app notifications, and choose between real-time alerts or a daily digest.
Communicate in your preferred language and directly message teachers, staff, or other parents.
View school events, sign up for conferences, volunteer opportunities, and securely access important student documents like report cards or permission slips.

Download the App

Family Overview Videos

Tips for Parents & Guardians

Activate Your Account
Click the link in your activation email/text, or sign up on parentsquare.com or via the ParentSquare app.
Set Preferences
Click your name in the top right to set your notification and language preferences.
Appreciate Posts
Click ‘Appreciate’ in your email/app or website to thank a teacher or staff member for a post.
Participate
Click ‘Sign Ups & RSVPs’ in the sidebar to see available opportunities. Click the bell on top to check your commitments.
Download App
It’s easy to stay in the loop with the ParentSquare app. Download it now for iOS or Android devices.
Get Photos & Files
Click ‘Photos & Files’ in the sidebar to access pictures, forms, and documents that have been shared with you.
Comment or Reply
Click ‘Comment’ in the app or website to privately ask a question about the post that your teacher or school sent.
Join a Group
Click ‘Groups’ in the sidebar to join a group or committee at your school to participate or stay up-to-date.
Find People
Click ‘Directory’ in the sidebar to find contact information for school staff.
Get in Touch
Click ‘Messages’ in the sidebar to privately get in touch with staff and teachers.

How We Communicate With Families

Elkhart Community Schools works hard to keep families informed. Whether it’s a school closing, an important update, or a chance to give feedback, we want to make sure you get the right information at the right time.

This section explains how we send messages to parents and guardians, what types of messages to expect, and how to keep your contact information up to date.

Emergency Closings
Updating Contact Information

Emergency Closings

At Elkhart Community Schools, the decision to delay or close school due to weather is never taken lightly. Our goal is to keep all students safe — whether they ride the bus, walk to school, or are dropped off by a caregiver.

When winter weather arrives, ECS administrators and transportation staff are out on the roads as early as 4:00 a.m., driving through Elkhart and Bristol to assess conditions firsthand. We consult with local meteorologists, government officials, and other area school leaders to make informed decisions. We aim to make any announcement by 5:30 a.m., though ongoing changes in weather may sometimes require a later decision.

If your child needs warm winter clothing for walking to school or waiting at a bus stop, please contact your school. All ECS schools have access to cold-weather gear for students who need it.

As a parent or guardian, you always have the right to keep your child home if you believe travel conditions are unsafe. If you choose to do so, please notify your school as soon as possible — the absence will be excused.

For more information about school closings, delays, and eLearning days, please visit our Closings and Delays page.

Updating Contact Information

Sharing Flyers with ECS Families

Elkhart Community Schools supports and promotes educational, nonprofit, and community activities that benefit our students and families. We welcome flyers and other materials that align with our educational mission and values.

Flyer distribution is one way we help connect families with programs and events happening in our schools and throughout the community.

What Types of Flyers Can Be Shared?

What Must Be Included on a Flyer?

To be approved for distribution, all flyers must meet the following guidelines:

Be respectful and free from offensive or inappropriate content
Include the name of the sponsoring group or individual, contact information, and the date of the event or activity
Not include religious or political endorsements or solicitations
Not promote programs that compete with Elkhart Community Schools offerings for students or staff

How Are Flyers Shared?

How Do I Submit a Flyer?

Elkhart Community Schools partners with Peachjar to distribute digital flyers to families. All flyer requests must go through Peachjar — we do not accept physical flyers from outside organizations.

Steps to Submit a Flyer

Visit peachjar.com and create an account as a Community Organization.
Click the “Sign Up” button at the top of the page and follow the instructions to register your organization.
Upload your flyer and select the schools where you’d like it shared.
After approval by ECS, your flyer will be emailed to families and posted on school websites.

Important Reminders

All flyers must be submitted through Peachjar.
Flyers are emailed directly to parents and can include clickable links.
You’ll be able to track how many people view or click your flyer through your Peachjar account.
Flyers must meet ECS guidelines and may be denied at the district’s discretion.

How to upload a flyer Create an account View pricing

Need help? Contact support@peachjar.com.

Flyer Costs, Free Distribution, and Disclaimers

To post flyers for free, your organization must qualify as a nonprofit, charitable, or civic group (a UBI or Tax ID number is required), and your event or activity must be offered at no cost.

Flyers that promote services, events, or programs that charge a fee will be subject to a distribution fee of $25.00 per flyer, per school. However, Peachjar may waive its service fees for local community organizations promoting a free event or activity that does not encourage participants to join a paid program or purchase products or services.

To request waived service fees, contact Peachjar directly. Elkhart Community Schools does not handle account setup or payment processing.

View Peachjar’s Free Flyer Posting Instructions

Contact Peachjar

Non-Endorsement Clause: Approval for flyer distribution does not imply endorsement or support by Elkhart Community Schools. The district simply provides a way to share information. Responsibility for the event or content lies with the sponsoring organization.