Parent Start Page
Table of Contents
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PowerSchool Parent Portal
View Grades, Attendance, Access BioUpdate, and Pay Fees Online
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BioUpdate
Online “back-to-school” form that replaces traditional paper packets
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Pay Fees Online
How to pay fees online
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Canvas
Observe Student's Online Classroom - Including Assignments and Due Dates
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ParentSquare
Our School/Home Communication Platform
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Closing and Delays
How We Handle Closings and Delays
What is the PowerSchool Parent Portal?
The PowerSchool Parent Portal gives parents and guardians convenient access to important student information in one secure location.
Parents can follow the steps below:
Step 1: Create or Log Into Your Parent Portal Account
- Visit: Power School Parent Sign In
- New users should click “Create Account” and follow the setup instructions
- Returning users can log in with their existing username and password
Step 2: Link Your Student
- Use the provided Access ID and Access Password (sent by the school) to connect your student to your account
If you need assistance setting up an account, please email powerschool@nhrec.org for assistance. Please be sure to include your student’s name in your email.
Through the portal, you can update emergency contact information using BioUpdate, monitor your student's grades and attendance, and pay school fees online. Expand the sections below to learn more about each of these features.
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BioUpdate is New Horizons’ online “back-to-school” form that replaces traditional paper packets. It allows parents and guardians to quickly review, verify, and update important student information each school year.
Through BioUpdate, families can:
- Confirm emergency contact details
- Update parent/guardian information
- Provide required permissions and acknowledgements
- Ensure student records are accurate and up to date
Completing the BioUpdate is an important first step in preparing for the school year and helps New Horizons maintain accurate and safe student records.
How Parents Can Access BioUpdate
BioUpdate is completed through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Step 1: Create or Log Into Your Parent Portal Account
- Visit: Power School Parent Sign In
- New users should click “Create Account” and follow the setup instructions
- Returning users can log in with their existing username and password
Step 2: Link Your Student
- Use the provided Access ID and Access Password (sent by the school) to connect your student to your account
Step 3: Complete the BioUpdate
- After logging in, select “Bio Update (School Year)” from the left menu
- Follow the on-screen instructions to review and submit your information
When to Complete BioUpdate
BioUpdate becomes available during the first week of school. Parents are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible to ensure all student information is current.
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Power School is an online service that gives students and parents the tools to stay informed about their education. You will have access to school-related information – such as attendance, grades, and assignments – via a secure website. This online resource will help students and parents remain better informed about day-to-day progress in school.
Students will login with their NHREC Google Account.
Parents or guardians use steps above to create an account.
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Student fees are not assessed until after the 10th day of the school year. Once fees have been assessed, parents and guardians will be able to access online payments through the PowerSchool Parent Portal under the Balance tab. Fees can be paid in full or partially by editing the amount in the textbox. Fees can be paided via e-check or credit/debit. A receipt will be emailed to you.
Watch video tutorial below:
How to Observe Your Student in Canvas
Canvas is a course management system that supports online learning and teaching. It allows instructors to post grades, assignments, and information online for students to access.
Parents and guardians who would like to observe their student’s Canvas courses should follow the information in the document below:
Parents can login to Canvas using the NHREC Parent Login Link
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ParentSquare
All schools in our district use ParentSquare for school communication primarily with email, text, and app notifications.
ParentSquare automatically syncs with our student information system to generate an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.
ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home. Learn more and get started today by viewing our ParentSquare web page.
How to Register for ParentSquare
On the app, enter your email or cell phone number. It should match what is in the school's information system or database.
On the ParentSquare website, click Sign In, then under Register, put your email or phone number and click Go.
If the email or phone number is not recognized by ParentSquare, parents can follow directions to request access or call the school office and ask them to update the contact information.
What is ParentSquare Used for?
Some features include:
- Mass notifications and urgent alerts with two-way communication
- Mobile app for administrators and parents (iOS and Android)
- Attendance notifications
- Teacher and classroom communication
- Direct Messaging with two-way translation
- Appointment Sign Ups (parent-teacher conferences, technology pick-ups)
- Calendar and RSVP
- Volunteering and classroom supply sign-ups
- And so much more!
As a registered parent, you can:
- Receive messages from the school and district via phone, email, text, or app notification
- Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6pm
- Communicate in your preferred language
- Comment on school postings to engage with your school community
- Direct message teachers, staff, and other parents
- Participate in group messages from schools and teachers
- Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
- Sign up to volunteer, donate school supplies, and more all from your desktop or mobile device
School Closing & Delays
New Horizons Regional Education Center Schedule Variations Chart
The link above contains information about schedule modification variations that all New Horizons programs adhere to during the school year.
2/3 Decision-Making Model for Closures and Schedule Modifications
In an effort to best support our students and the divisions we serve, the following model will be implemented when making decisions about schedule changes. In the event of a change, all New Horizons programs will follow the majority decision of the three largest divisions we serve (Newport News, Hampton, and York County). Below is the decision-making protocol:
- When a schedule change is announced by one of the large divisions (Newport News, Hampton, York), New Horizons will continue to monitor communication channels.
- Once two of the three large divisions indicate a schedule change, New Horizons will communicate and move forward with an in-kind schedule change.
- If one of the three large divisions announces a schedule change and the other two divisions remain open, New Horizons will remain open and operate on a regular schedule.
- If one of the three large divisions announces a schedule change and the other divisions (Gloucester, Poquoson, WJCC) modify schedules, New Horizons will remain open and operate on a regular schedule.
Communicating Schedule Changes
All schedule modifications and changes will be communicated promptly via ParentSquare, on the New Horizons website, and all social media outlets.
Please make sure your contact information is up to date by logging into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and completing your student’s BioUpdate forms. If your information is not up to date you will miss out on the latest information and changes happening at New Horizons Regional Education Centers.
If you have any questions, please contact your program administrator for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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On the app, enter your email or cell phone number. It should match what is in the school's information system or database.
On the web, click Sign In, then under Register, put your email or phone number and click Go.
If the email or phone number is not recognized by ParentSquare, parents can follow directions to request access or call the school office and ask them to update the contact information.
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ParentSquare allows users to customize their notifications based on notification type and select their preferred delivery method for each school. The Instant setting will send all post notifications in real-time. The Digest setting sends direct messages, alerts, and time-sensitive posts instantly, but sends all non-time sensitive posts at the end of the day, reducing the number of notifications you receive daily. (We recommend the Digest setting.) Learn more about managing notifications.
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Parents can update their language preference for their account. Once they have done this, ParentSquare will automatically translate any communication to them in their selected language. This translation will also occur when the parent sends a message to a staff member. Learn more about ParentSquare translations and how to set the language preference.
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- Activate Your Account
Click the link in your activation email/text, or sign up on the ParentSquare website or via the ParentSquare app.
- Download App
It’s easy to stay in the loop with the ParentSquare app. Download it now. iOS | Android
- Set Preferences
Click your name in the top right to set your notification and language preferences.
- Get Photos & Files
Click Photos & Files in the sidebar to access pictures, forms, and documents that have been shared with you.
- Appreciate Posts
Click Appreciate in your email/app or website to thank a teacher or staff member for a post.
- Comment or Reply
Click Comment in the app or on the website to privately ask a question about the post that your teacher or school sent.
- Participate
Click Sign Ups & RSVPs in the sidebar to see available opportunities. Click the bell on top to check your commitments.
- Join a Group
Click Groups in the sidebar to join a group or committee at your school to participate or to stay up-to-date.
- Find People
Click Directory in the sidebar to find contact information for school staff.
- Get in Touch
Click Messages in the sidebar to privately get in touch with staff and teachers.
- Activate Your Account
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Yes. All parents have a ParentSquare account. ParentSquare is the primary tool for district and school communication. Individuals who do not activate their account in ParentSquare will still receive an email digest at the end of each day that communication is sent out to them. In the event of emergencies, phone calls will be sent as well.
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Click the Unsubscribe link on your email from ParentSquare, or reply STOP to the SMS from ParentSquare to stop notifications to your email or phone.
**** If the email or phone number is not recognized by ParentSquare, parents can call the school office attendance/registar’s clerk and ask them to update the contact information.
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