Atchison Public Schools strives for open, effective communications between school and home. The district uses several forms of communication to help ensure that families and the community receive timely messages and announcements, including text notifications and this website. In July 2026, Kansas House Bill 2299 took effect to regulate how direct messages can be sent between a student and any school district employee. The new law outlines criteria for what digital communication tools staff members may use when contacting a student.

Safety of our students and staff is our top priority. This includes the use of digital communication tools that are approved, used, monitored, and archived with district oversight. In USD 409, messaging between our students and teachers, coaches, sponsors, or other employees will use the district's email systems as well as the Atchison Public USD 409 App via Apptegy Rooms. Please download the Atchison Public USD 409 App to receive school alerts and messaging from your child’s teacher(s). Links to download via the Apple App Store or Google Play can be found at the bottom of this page.

Please allow an employee up to 24 hours to respond during a school week. School staff members are not requested nor required to monitor messages over the weekend or other times when the school is closed for breaks or holidays, unless they are working in an official capacity during that time.

If you have an urgent need, please contact your child's school office by phone for assistance. Use of other digital communication tools for direct communication between a student and employee is not permitted and may be subject to disciplinary action.

For assistance accessing the USD 409 app, contact 409questions@usd409.net. If you ever have concerns about communication between a student and employee, please contact the principal without delay to request assistance or make a report.

It is more important than ever for parents to maintain a current email address and phone number with their child's school office. If your email address or phone number changes, please contact your student's school office to provide an update as soon as possible.