Irving ISD Families Connect, Engage and Share with LivingTree

Earlier this week, Irving ISD launched a new communications network, LivingTree, to provide families the opportunity to connect, engage and share in their children’s education.

The implementation of LivingTree’s private, ‘social-like’ network simplifies school-to-family and family-to-school communication using a single application available on web and mobile (iPhone and Android). The network enables educators and parents to share posts, alerts, files, events and content, while allowing users to volunteer for activities, send and receive private direct messages and access directory listings. In addition, LivingTree offers translation of messages to more than 40 languages.

Thirteen of the 37 Irving schools currently serve as early adopters of LivingTree. In the coming weeks, Irving ISD’s communications department will host “app bars” at the early adopter schools to promote the new application and demonstrate the network and its many features. The 13 campuses are:

Early Childhood Schools

• Clifton
• Kinkeade
• Pierce

Elementary Schools

• Brown
• Farine
• Johnston

Middle Schools

• Austin
• Bowie
• de Zavala
• Houston
• Travis

High Schools

• Irving
• Singley Academy

“In Irving Independent School District, we are always looking for ways to better communicate with our families,” says Superintendent of Schools Jose L. Parra, Ed.D. “Our partnership with LivingTree will enable our schools, families and community partners to create a network that focuses efforts on student excellence.”

“We are excited to offer LivingTree as a way for parents to stay informed, connected and engaged to what their child is learning in the classroom,” says Lesley Weaver, Irving ISD’s director of communications. “With features similar to other social networking sites, we expect families will be able to easily navigate the mobile app as well as the web-based application. Parents can stay in touch with teachers and type messages in their native tongue, encouraging two-way dialogue while removing the language barrier for non-English speaking parents.”

LivingTree CEO Cullen Childress expresses his excitement about the implementation, saying, “Partnering with Irving ISD is an honor for LivingTree. We look forward to working closely with a district that’s truly pushing boundaries and at the forefront of partnering with parents for best student outcomes. We’re excited to provide the game-changing, next-generation component of Irving’s community engagement plan.”

Founded in 2012, LivingTree’s mission is to connect the people who raise, develop and educate our children.

For more information about Irving ISD’s LivingTree’s implementation in Irving ISD, visit www.irvingisd.net/livingtree.

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Lesley Weaver

Director of Communications

Irving Independent School District