Putting ParentSquare Pay to Work: Teachers' Perspectives
As CTECS programs begin using ParentSquare Pay, some teachers are already finding ways to incorporate the new payment option into their existing operations. At Prince Technical High School and Bullard-Havens Technical High School, graphic design and culinary teachers are using the platform to support sales and make payments more convenient for customers.
Building a school store at Bullard-Havens Tech
Graphic design teacher Kerri Rak is preparing to launch a school store offering custom products, including uniforms, sports apparel and other items for the school community. ParentSquare Pay gives customers a way to place orders and pay online without having to visit the shop to pay with cash or a check.
“Having this option has made the idea of running a school store much more realistic and manageable,” Rak said.
The store is still in development as the program gets its equipment fully operational. Once it opens, students will handle orders, communicate with customers, manage production and meet deadlines.
“The school store provides students who may not have transportation to off-site work-based learning opportunities with real-world business experience right here in our Graphic Design shop,” Rak said.
Making restaurant payments easier
In Prince Tech's culinary program, ParentSquare Pay is already being used for restaurant sales and recurring catering orders. Chef Christina Tartaglino said customers have asked for years whether they could pay by credit card.
“It's also really nice when people walk in and say I forgot my cash today,” she said. “We don't have any issues like that in the restaurant anymore. Now it's ‘that's okay we accept credit card.’”
The program also uses the platform for its recurring Tuesday and Thursday catering orders, making payments more straightforward than waiting for checks in the mail. For holiday menus, customers can place orders and pay online ahead of pickup.
“The experience is definitely more convenient for the customers because they can pay right on their phone which is something this day and age we are all accustomed to,” the instructor said.
Learning a new system takes time, and every program has different needs. For teachers who are still figuring out how ParentSquare Pay might work for them, these early adopters encourage colleagues to explore the possibilities.
Chef Tartaglino said she was able to create one post to use for both restaurant sales and catering, making it easier to manage recurring orders. Kerri Rak offered similar encouragement to teachers with ideas for student-run businesses or services.
“I would encourage them to go for it and not let the payment process hold them back,” Rak said. “There are tools available to make the process easier, and the real-world learning opportunities we can create for our students make it worth pursuing.”
Both teachers are finding ways to use the platform within their programs. For Rak, it is helping move a school store from an idea toward reality. For Tartaglino, it offers customers more ways to pay for meals and catering. As more programs begin using ParentSquare Pay, these early examples offer a starting point for considering how online payments might fit into existing trade program sales and services.