In this guide, we will show you how you can communicate with Parents through MCAS, reducing the need or necessity to send email communication.
This guide works on the following pre-requisites;
- Having the MCAS Module licensed and configured.
- Having User Accounts created and Contacts having successfully redeemed them.
This guide will consist of two areas;
Access: the minimum permissions required to access MCAS are found in the MCAS module from Config>Setup>Roles and Permissions
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2023/05/ayV0eQ3Q-image.png)
See also How to use the MCAS Parent Portal
Contacts sending messages to Teachers
As you know, MCAS is a platform that allows Contacts to view their childs data, progress and timetable.
MCAS also provides the ability for the Contact to directly message a Teacher.
They can do this by going to MCAS and clicking on the Envelope/Message Icon on the top right of the site.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/zFyh3Agg-MCAS-1024x190.png)
This will take them to the conversation area of MCAS.
From here, any existing conversations will be visible as shown in our example below;
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/7PAZ1BQS-MCAS-2-1024x554.gif)
Whether there are or there aren’t any existing conversations, Contacts can select a Teacher from the New Conversation drop down on the left.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/AR826s2l-MCAS-3.png)
When a Teacher is selected that hasn’t been contacted before, a fresh conversation box will appear on the right of the screen.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/XdsFc1Z6-MCAS-4.gif)
Once a message has been sent to the Teacher, it be visible meaning that it has been sent directly to them.
Note: As you will be shown, these messages do not arrive as an email, they arrive as a notification within the MIS.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/X2OUUYcV-MCAS-5.gif)
Teachers replying to Contacts
Now that a Contact has sent a message to a Teacher, the Teacher can reply using the following method.
Within the MIS, click on the Bell/Notification Icon on the top right
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/kq7NoUWB-MCAS-6.png)
A preview of the message will display if there is one present, but to respond to any messages, click on Go to Page.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/jx0f9W3s-MCAS-7.gif)
This will load the notifications area of the MIS which is specific/individual to each user.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/Gn0BWj6x-MCAS-8-1-1024x330.gif)
From the side Menu, press Messages.
This will load any and all messages that the Teacher has received.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/z3KfmVKs-MicrosoftTeams-image-4-1024x467.png)
In the same way that a Contact sends messages to Teachers, Teachers can respond in the same way.
All that is required is to type the message and press Send.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/bEIaCVKi-MCAS-9.png)
Once a reply is sent, this will deliver to the Contact and show as blue.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/OETYO6hy-MCAS-10.gif)
The advantage of using this function is that the Teacher’s email address is not displayed or used, this is merely a form of direct communication between a Teacher using Bromcom and a Contact using MCAS.
Note: Please bear in mind that in this area, Teachers can send and receive messages to/from Students, Contacts and other Staff.
This is done by pressing New Conversation and selecting the Recipient Type.
![](https://d3kchveacp7yrb.cloudfront.net/2022/05/rDR5vO1I-MCAS-11.gif)
While Contacts can only send messages to Teachers that appear in the New Conversation drop down as mentioned earlier.