Parent Chat is an optional feature on ClassDojo that gives families more ways to connect with each other, while keeping privacy, safety, and your time in mind. It’s designed for positive, everyday uses like planning playdates, organizing carpools, or coordinating teacher gifts - all without sharing phone numbers or emails.
Below are answers to common questions so you know how it works and how it simplifies communication at your school.
Q. What is Parent Chat?
A. Families who opt-in can send private messages to other families in their child’s class or school who have also chosen to receive them. These chats are private and just between families, and are completely separate from school-owned data and systems. It’s designed for friendly, everyday coordination like planning a playdate, sharing a birthday invite, or arranging a carpool, while keeping all personal contact information private.
Q. How will this help teachers and school leaders?
A. It removes the need for teachers or school staff to act as go-betweens when families want to connect. It also helps create more opportunities for students to socialize outside of school and supports a stronger community without adding to staff responsibilities or monitoring duties.
Q. Is Parent Chat compliant with privacy regulations?
A. Yes. Parent Chat is FERPA-compliant because no school-owned data or student records are used. Families create their own personal profiles with only the information they choose to share. Private chats are started by families, limited to families, and kept entirely separate from school-managed systems. We’ve also designed it to meet COPPA, state-specific privacy laws, and other applicable regulations. This means teacher, schools, and districts are not responsible for monitoring or managing these messages, and parent contact information stays private by default.
Q. How will Parent Chat help families?
A. Families want easy, safe, and respectful ways to connect—whether to plan playdates, coordinate for school events, or chipping in for teacher appreciation. Parent Chat meets that need while letting each family control exactly who can reach them.
Q. Can families choose not to participate?
A. Yes. Participation is strictly opt-in. Families can:
- Block other families from contacting them
- Leave any conversation
- Change their settings anytime
- Families who opt out won’t appear in contact lists or receive messages from other families.
Q. How does Parent Chat work?
A. From the ClassDojo app or website, families can tap Messages, then the compose icon, and select from families who have also opted in. These are private and separate from teacher–family messaging, and do not use school-managed data.
Q. Do teachers or school staff need to monitor Parent Chat?
A. No. Parent Chat is a private, parent-owned space. It’s completely separate from school communication. You’re not expected to read, manage, or mediate these conversations.
Q. How do we enable or disable Parent Chat?
A. Families control their own settings. There’s nothing for teachers or school leaders to turn on or off. If you have feedback or concerns from your community, we’d love to hear it so we can keep improving.
Q. What if a parent misuses Parent Chat?
A. Families can block someone, leave a conversation, or report a message directly to ClassDojo. Our team investigates and takes action if needed.
Bottom line:
Parent Chat is optional, private, and built to help families connect while keeping teachers and schools out of the middle—and out of the message thread.