Call Lists are the sets of information that are used to send Text Messages, Phone Calls, and Emails to your community.
These lists are made from Data Lists that the platform receives from your SIS (Student Information System) or that are uploaded manually from a spreadsheet.
Call lists allow you to filter your data to include only particular demographics in order to send specific messages to pre-made lists.
For example, Call Lists allow you to create grade or building-specific lists for your student data, staff lists, and even lists for students with a negative lunch balance or unexcused absences.
These lists update each time your data lists update, allowing you to send text and calls from the Live Feed, Alerts Center, and Recurring Alerts with the most up to date information.
Creating and Editing a Call List
To create a call list in Alerts, first go to Data Management and click the + Create Call List button located to the right of the screen.
Enter a descriptive List Name for your call list and select a source list from the available options to designate which Data List will be used to create your call list.
Once you have named your call list and selected a source, click Next
From here, you can filter the list to your intended audience.
Filtering Call Lists and Data Lists
Filtering Call Lists and Data Lists
Filtering lists gives you the opportunity to contact specific groups of people.
For example, you can create a list that only contains 12th Grade, a list that only contacts students with low lunch balances, or lists for specific school buildings or bus routes.
You can either filter your call lists while creating a new list, or by going into an existing one and creating a filtered list from there.
Setting up Filters
Setting up Filters
On the left sidebar beneath Filtering you will see the headers included in the list you've selected.
Click on the header you want to add a filter to, it will expand out and give you filtering options depending on how the column's data is mapped.
Enter the information you want to use to filter that column in your list, once you have your information depending on if you are filtering a Call List or a Data list, you will see the following options:
Create Call List - this will appear if you started from the call list area and are building a list from a Data List source, once you've clicked it, the list will be renamed, and you are free to back out using the arrow in the top left corner.
Create List from Selected - this will appear if you are attempting to add a filter to an existing Call List or Data list, selecting this option will create a filtered version of the existing list you have in either section, the list will allow you to name it once the button is selected with a slide out from the right side of the screen.
Creating a Call List without using a Data List
Depending on how data and call lists are used together, it is possible to be at a school building level creating a call list, but have no data list to choose from. In these cases, it is best to build from an existing top level call list, most likely a All Student/Guardian or All Staff list at your building.
Once you've found the list you want to use to build from, click on the name of the list, this will take you to view the list. Next, start applying whichever filters you need for your new list, a new button will appear in the top right corner of the screen that says Create list from filtered. Clicking this will allow you to set a name and save the list.
Warning: Do not select the option Edit list under more action as this will edit the existing lists filters, not create a new list from it.
Sharing a Call List
Call lists can be shared from two different menu locations. This allows for call lists created at one organization level to be shared to other organizations you have access to.
Sharing from the Call List Homepage
Sharing from the Call List Homepage
First, select the list you want to share by clicking the checkbox to the left of the list's name. When at least one list is selected, the button above the checkboxes will turn light purple.
Select the Share button, and a window will pop up allowing you to select which organizations you would like to share the list with.
Once the desired organizations are selected, click the Share button.
Sharing from within a Call List
Sharing from within a Call List
While working within a Call List, you can share by clicking the button on the right side of the screen labeled More Actions. In the drop down menu select the Share with Organizations button, and a window will pop up allowing you to select which organizations you would like to share the list with.
Once the desired organizations are selected, click the Share button.