PowerSchool

Frequently Asked Questions

This page will be continuously updated with questions from parents, student, and staff related to PowerSchool.  Please check here first if you have a question related to PowerSchool before contacting your school or teacher.  If you don't find the answer to your question, please click here to ask your question.


USD 408 Home

Parent Portal Tutorial (video)
Parent Portal Tutorial (pdf)

Parent FAQ's

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

Who do I contact for PowerSchool access?

What is the web address for PowerSchool?

Can I change my password?

I have multiple children in the district.  Can I have access to all their accounts under just one username and password?

My husband/wife and I are separated/divorced, can we get another parent username and password for our child’s account?

Can other people see my child’s grades and information?

Where are the directions for PowerSchool parent access??

I am not getting emails from PowerSchool.  How come?

I replied to the PowerSchool auto-email with a question, but have not received a response. Why?

When I click on the teacher’s name to email the teacher, my email program doesn’t work correctly or does not open.

I can't login to the parent or student portal.  I put in my username and password and click submit.  After clicking submit, the page reloads to a blank username and password line and does not login.  Help?

Whom should I call if I have a question?

Do students and parents see the same screens/comments?


Q. Who do I contact for PowerSchool access?

A. Jim Versch is our PowerSchool parent contact and can get you set up with a username and password to access the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please contact Jim Versch at verscjim@usd408.com or at 382-2168.

Back to Top


Q. What is the web address for PowerSchool?

A. The USD 408 PowerSchool portal's address is: http://www.usd408.com/ps.html.  The direct link to the PowerSchool Parent Portal login page is: http://powerschool.usd408.com. Please bookmark either of these two links, or click on the PowerSchool button on the district homepage at www.usd408.com.

Back to Top


Q. Can I change my password? 

A. At this time, PowerSchool does not allow for the ability to change your password.  Please record it and keep it somewhere safe and private so you have it when you need it (wallet, purse, day planner).

Back to Top


Q. I have multiple children in the district.  Can I have access to all their accounts under just one username and password? 

A. PowerSchool does not allow for this (yet).  Each child’s account information is housed under a separate account so you will have a different parent login for each child. Unfortunately, we do not have a way to allow one log on to be entered, then provide you a choice for which of your children's information to display. We apologize for this inconvenience but this is a limitation in the software.

Back to Top


Q. My husband/wife and I are separated/divorced, can we get another parent username and password for our child’s account?  

A. No.  Unfortunately, the PowerSchool program only allows one parent account to be created per child.  Therefore, both parents will have to use the same username and password that was assigned by the district.

Back to Top


Q. Can other people see my child’s grades and information?

A. As long as you protect your password, others will not be able to see your child’s information. Each child/parent is issued a unique identification log in and password.

Back to Top


Q. Where are the directions for PowerSchool parent access?? 

A. For detailed directions, watch the Parent Portal Video Tutorial.  If you would also like a downloadable tutorial that you can print, you can download the Parent Portal Tutorial in pdf format. (Note: You will need AdobeReader to view this file.)

Back to Top


Q. I am not getting emails from PowerSchool.  How come?

A. There could be multiple reasons for this:

1.  Did you sign-up for Email Notifications on the Email Notifications page?  Please double check the email address you entered because if one character (letter/number/space) is off, you won’t receive emails.

2.  Does your email program have a spam blocker that could be blocking the messages?  If so, you will want to add the email address  powerschool@usd408.com to the list of “allowed” email addresses so PowerSchool emails can get through.

3.  Did you check your email's BULK or SPAM folder?  Check to see if the messages are going there and choose to mark them as NOT SPAM.  You will have to consult your email's help menu or manual to learn how to do this as it is different for every email program.

Back to Top


Q. I replied to the PowerSchool auto-email with a question, but have not received a response. Why?

A. The PowerSchool auto-generated email is created and sent by the PowerSchool server, not by an individual. The server will not reply to your email sent to that address. If you have questions about your child's progress, please direct those questions directly to the faculty member.

Back to Top


Q. When I click on the teacher’s name to email the teacher, my email program doesn’t work correctly or does not open.

A. Unfortunately, this is not a problem we can help you with since everyone’s email programs are different.  Your email program needs to be setup correctly on your computer.  You may want to view the HELP area or menu for your email program or contact your Internet Service Provider for further assistance.

Back to Top


Q. I can't login to the parent or student portal.  I put in my username and password and click submit.  After clicking submit, the page reloads to a blank username and password line and does not login.  Help?

A. PowerSchool uses "cookies" and this means your internet security is set too high, probably to the highest level of security, which blocks cookies.   Depending on your browser, you will need to find the Internet Security area and turn it down a level or two so cookies are accepted.  You can find out more information about this by going to your web browser's help menu and doing a search on "cookies" or "internet security."

Back to Top


Q. Whom should I call if I have a question?

A. Please use the table below to decide whom to contact for various types of questions.

 

Question Topic

Person to Contact

Grades for class assignments during the current semester

Your student’s teachers. Teachers’ email contact info is available on the PowerSchool website at the main student screen.

Attendance in a specific class on a specific day

High School Attendance Office: 620-382-2168
Middle School Office: 620-382-6070
Elementary Office: 620-382-3771

Grades on transcripts, GPA, class rank.

Your student’s guidance counselor.
MHS/MMS: 620-382-2168
MES: 620-382-3771

Course schedules, graduation progress, and college and careers.

Your student’s guidance counselor.
MHS/MMS: 620-382-2168
MES: 620-382-3771

General attendance questions, and questions related to absences

High School Attendance Office: 620-382-2168
Middle School Office: 620-382-6070
MES Office: 620-382-3771

Back to Top


Q. Do students and parents see the same screens/comments?

A. When students and parents access the PowerSchool server, they see the same information with one exception; parents have the ability to enter their email address and to request automatic progress reports via email.

Back to Top


   
 

Online Parent Portal Tutorial

 

Parent Portal Tutorial (video) - this is a step-by-step demo, the user starts with the initial page and ends at the My Calendar page explanation
  Parent Portal Tutorial (pdf) - Download and print this informative tutorial in pdf format. It is loaded with valuable information and screenshots that will help you navigate the PowerSchool Parent Portal like a pro.