NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Before the first-day photos are taken and backpacks are packed, parents need to check one more thing off their checklist: downloading apps that keep families connected to their child’s school, teachers, bus routes and grades.
Whether you’re sending a child to kindergarten or high school, having the right apps on your phone can make navigating the school year much easier.
Here’s a look at the platforms many Middle Tennessee families may want to download before classes begin.
General apps every parent should download
Remind
This is a messaging app that allows teachers and schools to send announcements, reminders and updates directly to parents and students.
These messages can include assignment reminders, event information and emergency notifications without sharing personal phone numbers.
This app is especially useful to parents who have students participating in sports, band, theater or other extracurricular activities where timely communication is often essential.
RELATED COVERAGE | Tennessee’s tax-free weekend returns with savings on school supplies, clothes, computers
Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that lets students save schoolwork online and access it from any device. It’s commonly used for storing assignments, presentations and shared classroom files.
This app can be especially useful for students who switch between devices at school and home, allowing them to access their work anywhere with an internet connection.
Adobe Scan
This app turns a smartphone into a portable scanner. It allows you to scan a physical document and turn it into a PDF that can be easily saved, shared or submitted electronically.
Parents and students can use the app for documents such as permission slips, worksheets, forms or handwritten assignments.
Todoist
Todoist can help students and parents create task lists, organize homework assignments and set reminders for upcoming deadlines.
Projects can even be sorted by priority and due date.
Here Comes the Bus
Here Comes the Bus provides real-time school bus tracking for participating school districts.
Parents can receive notifications when the bus is approaching the bus stop or when it has arrived at school.
Waze
Waze uses real-time traffic information from other drivers to help avoid accidents, road closures and congestion.
This app can be especially useful during the busy back-to-school commute.
RELATED COVERAGE | Metro Nashville Public Schools hosts back-to-school bashes to get kids ready for first day
Davidson County Board of Education (WZTV)
District-specific apps in Middle Tennessee
LINQ Connect
This school meal app allows parents to add money to student meal accounts, monitor cafeteria purchases and review account balances.
Some districts also use the app for submitting meal benefit applications.
SchoolCafe
SchoolCafe lets families manage school meal accounts, make online payments and receive low-balance alerts.
Depending on the district, parents may also be able to view menus and apply for meal assistance.
Skyward Family Access
This app serves as a parent portal where families can view grades, attendance records, report cards, class schedules and academic progress.
Parents can also update contact information, monitor missing assignments and complete district forms, depending on the district.
ParentSquare
This is a school-to-home communication platform used by many school districts to keep families informed.
Parents can receive announcements, emergency alerts, permission slips, attendance notifications and direct messages from teachers, coaches and school administrators all in one place.
SafeTN
This safety app is Tennessee’s anonymous school safety reporting system, allowing students, parents and community members to report concerns such as bullying, threats, weapons, suspicious activity or students who may be in crisis.
Reports can be submitted at any time through the app, website or hotline and reviewed by trained specialists, who work with local school officials and law enforcement when necessary.
TN Pulse
This is the Tennessee Department of Education’s official mobile app, designed to keep families, educators and community members connected to statewide education news and resources.
Users can also access education updates, important announcements, state initiatives and school and district information to stay informed about education across Tennessee.
RELATED COVERAGE | Back-to-school guide: Free events and school supply giveaways in Middle Tennessee
SchoolCash Online
This app is a secure payment platform that allows parents and guardians to pay for school-related expenses without sending cash or a check to school.
Families can use the app to purchase field trips, yearbooks, athletic fees, club dues, spirit wear and other school items, while also receiving digital receipts, payment reminders and notifications about new fees.
