Welcome to OPUS! We’re here to make your life easier, keep you on top of things, and strengthen the connection with your partners in success, your classes’ families. Below, you'll find a useful guide describing the features within OPUS, answers to some frequently asked questions, and a strategy guide to help you get the most out of the platform.
You may also want to check out the family’s resource page.
OPUS Teacher How-To Guide
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When you first log into OPUS, you’ll land on the Course Sections screen. This is your dashboard where each class you teach is displayed as a tile. These tiles have avatars that are color-coded based on current class average—green, yellow, or red, — or happy and sad faces, —to give you a quick read on how each group is performing. You can also use the drop-down menu in the upper right to change quarters.
Each tile also shows two statistics:
Total Students in the class
Total Engaged parents—these are families who have set expectations and are actively tracking progress.
To navigate this section:
On the left-hand menu, click Course Sections (this is the default screen).
You’ll see a list of your classes as tiles. Each tile displays an avatar with a color or symbol based on the class’s average.
You can toggle between two views at the top of this screen:
Grade View: Shows green/yellow/red avatar based on performance.
Expectations View: Shows smiley/sad/gray faces based on whether students are meeting expectations and whether families are engaged.
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Click on a class tile to dive deeper.
This view shows your entire class roster, ranked/sorted by grade, first, or last names. Grade is the default selection.
Use filters to highlight students by gender, activities, or other categories. Non-matching students will fade slightly so you can spot patterns.
Switch between Grades View and Expectations View at the top of the screen.
In Expectations View, you’ll see smiley faces for students meeting expectations, sad faces for those falling short, and gray circles if a parent hasn’t logged in recently.
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Next to “Classroom,” you’ll find the Student List tab. Clicking on this tab will display:
A tile for each student, similar to the Classroom view.
Search and filter tools to focus on particular groups or behaviors.
Click into a student tile to view:
Profile: Family background and interests, entered by the parent.
Comments: Additional information provided by administrators
Details: Grade-level transcript synced from your school’s SIS (like PowerSchool).
Message Icon: Click on the icon to the right of the student’s name to launch one-on-one messaging with the parent.
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This is your hub for connecting with families. Personal communication builds partnership!
To send a message:
Click Messages in the left-hand menu.
Tap New Message.
Select a class, then choose one or more parents.
Type your message—for example, “Your child is doing great in class!”
When you hit Send, OPUS will deliver individual messages to each selected parent. This helps you maintain personal contact without copying and pasting messages manually.
All your messages will be listed chronologically, just like text messages on your phone. You cannot send group messages—each conversation is one-on-one.
Pro Tip: Quick, positive notes build engagement. But sending too many messages can create fatigue. Think quality over quantity!
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This section allows you to provide families with helpful links specific to your class. It saves both you and the parents time and effort, providing everyone with the same resources!
To add a resource:
Click Parent Resources in the left menu.
Select the class for which you want to add a resource.
Click Create New Resource.
Add a Display Name and the Link (URL).
Hit Save.
Common examples:
The class website where you post information
Teacher homepage
Unique learning sites, such as Khan Academy videos
Enrichment articles
This section is not typically used for school-wide announcements or permission slips, since schools often have dedicated tools for that.
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These two sections mirror what’s already in your school’s Student Information System (SIS). You don’t need to manually enter grades—OPUS syncs them automatically. However, you can use these areas to view what’s already been synced.
Course Works shows:
All planned assignments (like “Homework 1,” “Quiz 2”)
Weight, type, and due dates
Grade Book shows:
Each student’s scores for each assignment
Keep in mind: Syncs may happen once or multiple times per day, depending on your school’s setup. OPUS may trail the SIS slightly depending on the timing.
If your school doesn’t have a centralized SIS or you’re running a pilot, you can manually manage grades in this module. Additional instructions are provided to your school’s OPUS coordinator.
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At the top of the screen, you’ll find a few helpful tools:
Messages & Alerts Icon: Click here to view all recent messages or jump to a specific conversation.
Teacher Profile: Update your name, email, or password.
Logout: Safely sign out of OPUS from here.
If you ever forget your password, just click “Forgot Password” on the login screen. You’ll be prompted to enter your email. If there's an account associated with it, you’ll get a reset link.
OPUS Teacher FAQs
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Click "Forgot Password" on the login screen, enter your email, and follow the reset link that’s sent (if your email is linked to an OPUS account).
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No! OPUS pulls data directly from your school’s SIS, such as PowerSchool, etc. Just keep updating grades in your existing system and OPUS will sync them automatically. If your school does not have a standardized gradebook, than OPUS is activated to provide limited functionality as a gradebook.
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This depends on your school setup. Some sync once per day, others more frequently. OPUS will always reflect the most recent synced data.
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No; they will receive an alert only if the grade is significantly above or below expectations. OPUS sends a daily digest, not instant notifications (unless it’s a direct message from you).
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Use it to link to class websites, learning tools, or enrichment material. Avoid using it for school-wide announcements unless instructed.
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Yes—but OPUS will send individual one-on-one messages to each recipient. No group chats allowed, which keeps things clear, FERPA-compliant, and personal.
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No. While messages are sent instantly, OPUS encourages boundaries. Families should feel free to respond during school hours or at their convenience.
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Grade View shows raw class performance.
Expectations View shows whether students are meeting the performance expectations set by their families. -
These colors are based on raw student performance; ranges are set by the district/school. They represent the current cumulative grade.
🟢 Green: The student is doing well.
🟡 Yellow: There may be areas for improvement.
🔴 Red: The student needs extra support.
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These icons represent how a student is performing according to their parent’s expectation. Initially, the parent icon is a gray circle. Once the parent logs in, it becomes a green happy face. If a child underachieves according to their parent’s expectation it becomes a red sad face. If a parent receives an alert concerning underachievement, and does not log in within two weeks of receiving the alert, the icon resets as a gray circle, signifying lack of engagement.
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An engaged parent is one who has initially logged into OPUS, and has kept or modified the default achievement expectation for their child. Whether the student meets or misses expectations, the parent is considered engaged.
If a student receives a grade significantly below the parent expectation, the parent receives an alert. If they do not log in within two weeks of the alert to understand the issue, their icon changes to a gray circle (not engaged).
A parent whose child is meeting the parent’s expectations is considered “engaged”, regardless of whether they have logged in or not.
OPUS Teacher Strategy Guide
Welcome to OPUS! Now that you know your way around the system, here’s how to really make it work for you—and for your students’ families.
Family Engagement and the Power of OPUS
Family engagement is essential—not only for a child’s academic success but also as a catalyst for improving the health and well-being of the entire community. When families are not engaged, teacher effectiveness suffers, and it becomes more difficult for schools and districts to thrive. Research consistently shows that family involvement positively impacts student achievement, attendance, and behavior.
OPUS plays a vital role in strengthening the parent-teacher partnership. It fosters better communication and deeper understanding between educators and families. However, OPUS is just a tool—its true value depends on how you use it. Your active participation will determine its impact on your students, their families, and your overall classroom success.
This guide will help you get the most out of OPUS. It goes beyond the basics, offering not just instructions on how to use the platform, but also strategies for using it effectively.
The first year is especially important. Everyone - teachers, students, and families - is learning together, so be patient as things take time to gain momentum. As the school community becomes more comfortable with OPUS, the benefits will grow for everyone involved.
Thank you for your commitment and dedication!
Concept
Strengthening the Parent-Teacher Partnership goes beyond regular communication - it requires a shared understanding. When parents can see their child’s progress through your lens, and you gain insights from their experiences at home, a more meaningful dialogue can begin. This mutual perspective helps build trust and supports student success.
OPUS is built with families in mind. It helps answer the questions parents are asking and gives them the tools they need to support their child’s learning. At the same time, it helps you engage more effectively with families, keeping their needs front and center in your work.
The following is how you can use OPUS to maximize its benefits.
Get Organized and Ready for Success
To ensure a smooth and effective experience for students and families, please follow these key steps:
1. Verify Your Classes
Make sure all your classes and/or subjects are displayed correctly. Confirm that all students are properly listed in each class. This step—called data validation—ensures the accuracy and quality of information flowing from your school’s systems.
👉 If you notice any discrepancies, contact your data administrator immediately.
2. Add Parent Resources
Include helpful resources for each class. These will appear as links in the Family View, giving parents quick access to important information. By centralizing resources, you make it easier for families to stay informed and support their child’s learning and class activities.
3. Maintain Your Gradebook
The data in your gradebook powers the alerts and updates that parents receive in OPUS. This communication helps families support student achievement by:
Encouraging effective study habits
Tracking upcoming assignments or tests
Understanding academic progress
To enhance parent support:
Plan ahead: Enter your grading plan and set up columns (e.g., by the Thursday of the prior week) so parents can prepare their child accordingly.
Post grades promptly: Timely updates improve the speed of information, empowering parents to stay engaged.
Remember: When accurate information is available, parents are more likely to be proactive. Your efforts can make a measurable difference in student success.
Parents as Partners
Study after study confirms that regardless of the student’s age, type of school, curriculum, or culture, family engagement, when done well, improves the likelihood of student performance. Students made “greater and more consistent gains when teachers were ‘especially active’ in outreach to parents” (Henderson and Mapp, 2002)
When a parent first logs in to OPUS, they are labeled “engaged.” They are directed to a Family Background section, where they fill out a brief questionnaire that provides you with a more holistic view of the child. Here’s what you want to look for:
1. Are my parents engaged?
You can see a summary of the number of engaged parents on the tile for each of your classes. Select a class, and you will see your students. Select the Student List tab and Expectation View. You will see tiles of each student in the class, with a corresponding icon based on meeting expectations. If there is a gray circle, and grades have been posted, the parent is not “engaged.”
You can reach out to these parents and ask them to sign in. Higher levels of parent participation will provide you with higher levels of support. In reaching out, be positive; “We are excited to include you in your child’s education.” Be aware that it will take time to get all parents signed up in the first year.
2. Check the Family Backgrounds.
On each child’s tile, you’ll see three choices along the bottom; select “Profile.” You will see tabs containing the answers to the questionnaire from the guardian parent. Are they filled out? Learn more about your students, and possible circumstances that affect their ability to learn.
Reach out to your parents if there is something that you would like to know more about or if there is more information that you think should be in the Family Background. Again, be positive, not judgmental.
Note: You will be notified when a parent makes updates to the Family Background. Be sure to see the changes.
3. Do they have expectations?
Studies have shown that one of the most important factors influencing a child’s performance is having parents who set expectations. This reflects the value parents place on education and initiates a foundation of support for their child.
Check to see if the guardian parents have adjusted the default expectations. The default in OPUS is equivalent to an 85 grade; parents can adjust these expectations based on their perception of their child’s abilities.
Are the expectations too high? Too low? You can reach out to a parent to discuss these choices. Remember to be positive; “I want to help your child be the best they can be. What do you see that I don’t?” This can lead to additional support or adjustments, developing a more personalized approach to learning with minimal effort.
Ongoing Strategy: Let the dialogue begin!
Now that both parties are aligned and sharing information through OPUS, what happens next? The dynamic aspect of the Partnership includes alerts, one-on-one messaging, and icon changes:
Alerts are automated notifications based on family expectations, attendance, and other data. They’re typically sent at 7 p.m. - after dinner but before bedtime - so parents can discuss updates with their child without disrupting daily routines. Parents can customize these alert times.
One-on-one messages are sent directly by you and are delivered immediately. While neither party should expect an instant reply, both parents and teachers are encouraged to respond in a timely manner. These exchanges help strengthen the partnership.
Icon changes reflect status updates and serve as calls to action for you, the parent, or both.
In Grade View, red, yellow, or green icons indicate the current cumulative average.
In Expectations View, if a child’s grade falls significantly below a parent's expectations, the icon changes from a green happy face to a red sad face.
If a parent receives an alert but doesn’t log in for two weeks, the icon shifts to a gray circle, signaling lack of engagement.
There are also positive alerts - like: “June got a 100 in Geography. Way to go!”
Handling Parent Questions
When parents receive alerts, questions will naturally arise—and that’s a good sign. It means they’re engaged. Most will respond through one-on-one messaging. Be positive and reassuring. Let them know, “We want your child to succeed.” If needed, escalate the conversation to a phone call, meeting, or other direct communication. The goal is to reach a shared understanding and agree on clear steps to resolve the situation.
Crafting Meaningful Connections
Communicate with respect. A great discussion on trusted communications can be found in this brief paper: The Contagious and (Almost) Lost Art of Civility.
Be aware of the timing of your messages, late night isn’t the best for a response.
Be proactive! Positive notes (“It’s great to have Jimmy in my class.”) can have a great effect on a parent’s outlook.
Set a goal to message each family once every 2–3 weeks. These messages don’t need to be long - sometimes a simple, “Your child is really shining this week!” goes a long way.
Use the bulk message feature to save time. It lets you send the same message to multiple parents individually, which maintains a personal tone without doubling your workload.
But don’t overdo it - avoid alert fatigue. Try to send messages when there’s something to celebrate or address.
Overall Strategy: The “Big Picture”
How can you see the “Big Picture”? Here are some ideas to help you manage your efforts.
Click into Expectations View to understand the emotional pulse of your classroom. Use filters to uncover patterns—maybe students in sports are struggling more this month. Maybe parents of certain students haven’t logged in lately.
The more you notice, the more targeted your communication can be.
What would the ideal Expectation View look like? All green happy faces! How do you achieve this result? By helping your families to use OPUS, work with parents to set realistic expectations for their child.
But don’t sit on your laurels! If expectations are too low, challenge the parents! No one complains that you see a spark in their child! This will result in a loop of increasing student achievement and parent satisfaction.
Keeping the Engagement Loop Going
Every time grades are updated in your SIS, OPUS quietly sends alerts to parents—but only if the grades are significantly outside the range of their expectations. This keeps alerts meaningful, and parents more likely to stay engaged.
Be strategic:
Schedule your gradebook updates so they match your school’s sync times.
Use the Parent Resources tab to post helpful links once a month—don’t let it go stale.
Revisit filters often to uncover new student stories that can prompt messages.
Handling Common Scenarios
Parent hasn’t logged in: Look for gray circles in Expectations View. Try sending a friendly message - "Just wanted to check in!"
Student falling behind: Message the parent, but also review the student’s Profile—what extracurriculars or background might help you understand the situation?
Positive reinforcement needed: Use filters to find students who improved. Reach out to their families with a quick kudos note.
Becoming a Power User
Think of OPUS not as a grading tool, but as a family engagement dashboard. The best results come from rhythm and routine. The more you use filters, toggles, and messages, the better your classroom-family connection will be.
Bookmark your OPUS dashboard. Keep your profile current. And visit onegreenapple.com for family engagement ideas and best practices—we’re constantly adding new tools.
