Step 1: Access 2-Way Chat

You can use 2-Way Chat through the BHCS Mobile App or from any web browser on your computer.

Apple Devices - iPhone & iPad (iOS)

 

1. Download the Ben Hill County Schools app from the Apple App Store.
2. Tap Get and complete the installation if prompted.
3. Open the BHCS app on your device.

Android Devices

 

1. Download the Ben Hill County Schools app from the Google Play Store
2. Tap Install to download and install the app.
3. Once installation is complete, open the BHCS app from the Play Store or your home screen.

Desktop or Laptop Computer

Prefer to use a web browser? Access 2-Way Chat from any computer by visiting the web-based platform and signing in with the email address associated with your Infinite Campus.

Note: Families can use either the mobile app or the web version. Messages, notifications, and conversations will stay synced across all devices.
 

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Step 2: Log In and Set Up Your Account

 

1. Enter your username.
   • Your username is the email address listed as your parent/guardian contact email in Infinite Campus.
   • Ben Hill Schools employees: If you are also the parent/guardian of a BHCS student, your username is the personal email address listed in Infinite Campus.
2. Select Forgot Password.
   • A password reset link will be sent to the email address associated with your account.
   • Follow the link to create your new password.
3. Choose your preferred language.
   • After logging in, you'll be prompted to select the language you'd like the app to display.
4. Set your notification preferences.
   • Select Allow Notifications to receive messages and updates through the app.
   • Your device may display an additional prompt asking for permission to send notifications. Be sure to select Allow.
5. Customize chat notifications.
   • You can choose when and how you'd like to receive chat notifications, giving you control over your communication preferences.
      

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Step 3: Access Chats (Mobile App Only)

Once you are logged in to the BHCS Mobile App, locate the Chats icon in the bottom navigation bar. Tap the icon to open your conversations and begin messaging.

From there, you can view existing chats or start a new conversation directly with teachers, staff, coaches, or sponsors.

Please note: Classrooms will not appear in the Chats tool until school begins.

Using a desktop or laptop computer?
After signing in, you will be taken directly to the Chat dashboard, where you can view and manage your conversations immediately.

Step 1: Access 2-Way Chat

You can use 2-Way Chat through the BHCS Mobile App or from any web browser on your computer.

Apple Devices - iPhone & iPad (iOS)

 

1. Download the BHCS Schools app from the Apple App Store.
2. Tap Get and complete the installation if prompted.
3. Open the BHCS app on your device.
4. Sign in using your Ben Hill County Schools email address.

Android Devices

1. Download the BHCS Schools app from the Google Play Store.
2. Tap Install to download and install the app.
3. Once installation is complete, open the BHCS app from the Play Store or your home screen.
4. Sign in using your Ben Hill County Schools email address.

Desktop or Laptop Computer

Prefer to use a web browser? Access 2-Way Chat from any computer by visiting the web-based platform and signing in by using the "2-Way Chats" icon.

Note: Families can use either the mobile app or the web version. Messages, notifications, and conversations will stay synced across all devices.

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Step 2: Log In and Set Up Your Account

 

1. Enter your username.
   • Your username is the email address listed as your district student email address.

2. Choose Login with Google when prompted.

3. Choose your preferred language.
   • After logging in, you'll be prompted to select the language you'd like the app to display.
4. Set your notification preferences.
   • Select Allow Notifications to receive messages and updates through the app.
   • Your device may display an additional prompt asking for permission to send notifications. Be sure to select Allow.
5. Customize chat notifications.
   • You can choose when and how you'd like to receive chat notifications, giving you control over your communication preferences.
      

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Step 3: Access Chats (Mobile App Only)

Once you are logged in to the BHCS Mobile App, locate the Chats icon in the bottom navigation bar. Tap the icon to open your conversations and begin messaging.

From there, you can view existing chats or start a new conversation directly with teachers or coaches.

Using a desktop or laptop computer?
After signing in, you will be taken directly to the Chat dashboard where you can view and manage your conversations immediately.

Finalsite Chat is Ben Hill County Schools's secure, district-approved platform for communicating with families and students. This page provides everything you need to get started, manage your chat rooms, and make the most of the platform.

Finalsite support articles for teachers

The following Finalsite support articles provide step-by-step guidance for each area of the Chat feature.

• Chat for teachers: Getting started – Download the app, log in, and navigate your account.
• Chat for teachers: Web chat option – Access Finalsite Chat through a browser using a URL.
• Chat for teachers: Understand posting permissions – Learn about the Chat Manager role and what it allows you to do.
• Chat for teachers: Connect, collaborate, and manage preferences – Send messages, create rooms, manage notifications, and set quiet hours.
• Finalsite Chat master guide – A comprehensive overview of all Chat features for reference.

What Chat allows you to do:

• Communicate with families: Send messages to parents and guardians through secure one-way or two-way chat rooms.
• Manage chat rooms: Create and moderate classroom or group chat rooms synced from your student information system.
• Direct messaging: Send private 1:1 messages to individual parents, guardians, or colleagues.
• Auto-translation: Messages are dynamically translated so families can read and respond in their preferred language.

 

How to access Chat

Teachers and coaches can access Chat in two ways:

• Mobile app: Download the district's branded app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Search for Ben Hill County Schools. Log in using your district SSO credentials.
• Web browser: Open any browser and navigate to https://www.ben-hill.k12.ga.us/fs/chat/signin. Enter your district username and password, or log in via SSO if prompted.

If you are unable to log in or do not see your chat rooms, contact app.support@benhillschools.org  for troubleshooting guidance.

 

Chat rooms – How chat rooms work

As a teacher, you are assigned the Chat Manager role. This gives you moderator-level access to your assigned chat rooms.

• Your rooms are created during implementation. Chat rooms are typically created by BHCS and are pulled from your Infinite Campus roster. You may also create additional rooms manually as needed.
• Two types of rooms are available. One-way rooms allow only the Chat Manager to post (good for announcements). Two-way rooms allow all participants to send and reply.
• You moderate participant activity. As Chat Manager, you can remove members, report messages, and manage the overall environment of your rooms. Admins maintain oversight at the district level.
• Participants receive translated messages. All messages are automatically translated for families based on their preferred language — no action is required on your part.

 

Direct messaging – Sending direct messages

Direct messages allow you to have private, one-on-one or small group conversations outside of chat rooms. Use direct messaging to follow up with an individual family or connect with a colleague.

• Open the Direct Messages section, located below your chat rooms list on the main chat screen.
• Select a recipient. Search by name to find a parent, guardian, or staff member.
• Compose and send your message. You may include text, emoji reactions, file attachments, and threaded replies, subject to your district's sharing permissions.

 

Notifications – Managing notification settings

You can customize when and how you receive chat notifications to suit your schedule.

• Access your preferences. Tap your profile icon in the app or browser, then select Notifications under Preferences.

• Set quiet hours. Specify days and times when you will not receive push notifications — for example, evenings and weekends.

• Choose notification types. Toggle notifications separately for important announcements, chat room messages, and direct messages.

Finalsite App/Chat FAQ

How is the app downloaded? 

Search for Ben Hill County Schools in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install the app from there.

 

Do you have to log in to benefit from the app?

No. There are many features in the app that do not require a login, such as subscribing to school posts and calendars.

• Subscribing to Schools:
  • Select the Gear Icon, select Schools, and select the schools you wish to subscribe to.
• Following School Posts (news):
  • Select Posts on the bottom menu bar, select the three lines on the top right of the screen, and select the schools you want to follow.
• Following School Calendars
  • Select More on the bottom menu bar, select School Calendars, select the three bars at the top right, and select the school calendars you wish to follow.

 

What is Finalsite Chat? 

A secure real-time messaging feature in BHCS App that lets students, parents, and staff communicate in rooms organized by class, team, or custom group.

 

Is it possible to use Chat without downloading the app? 

Yes. BHCS has a web chat URL that works in any browser on any device.

Webchat URL: https://www.ben-hill.k12.ga.us/fs/chat/signin

 

What are the login credentials? 

• Employee: Single Sign On (Staff email address)
• Students: Single Sign On (Student email address)
• Parents/Guardians: Email address listed in Infinite Campus. Finalsite App will prompt you to create a different password. The password you create is only for the Finalsite App/Chat.

 

Where is the Chat icon in the app? 

The Chats icon appears in the bottom toolbar of the mobile app.

 

What if I am in the app but don’t see the Chat tab?

If you are in the app and see the tabs for Home, Posts, and Menu in the bottom toolbar but not the Chat icon, you will need to log in to the app.

 

From the app's Home screen, click the Gear icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and then select "Log In." On the login screen, enter the username from your account setup email (the email associated with Infinite Campus) and the password you created (this password will be unique for Chat). You must follow the steps from the account setup email to create your password before logging into the app.

 

How are chat notifications limited to certain hours? 

Under Notifications > Chat messages, choose Always, Every day, Weekdays, or Custom.

 

Posting Permissions

Chat Managers (teachers, coaches, school staff) control posting permissions. Some Chat Rooms will allow everyone to post messages. Other Chat Rooms will be limited to Chat Managers.

 

What’s the difference between Direct Messages and Chat Rooms?

In your Chat portal, you'll see two categories of conversations: Direct Messages and Chat Rooms.

Direct Messages are designed for the parent(s)/guardian(s) and teacher of a student to talk to that student's learning experience. These conversations are personalized to a student. In Direct Messages, parents/guardians and teachers can ask questions and work together to support the student's learning needs.

• Students may start a Direct Message with teachers and coaches.
• Students cannot start a Direct Message with other students or other parents.
• Parents may start a Direct Message with teachers and coaches.
• Parents cannot start a Direct Message with other students or other parents.
• Teachers/staff can start a Direct Message with students, parents, and other staff.
• Parents and teachers may attach a photo or file to a Chat Room or a Direct Message. Students cannot attach photos or files to Chat rooms or Direct Messages.
• Chat Rooms are group conversations through which teachers and school staff can share information with larger groups of parents/guardians. Chat Rooms are used for announcements and reminders. Follow-up conversations between a parent/guardian and the teacher can be started through Direct Messages.

 

How is a Direct Message started? 

Tap the + or Compose icon in the Direct Messages section on the Chat home screen, then select one or more recipients

 

Can you tell if a message has been read? 

A check mark icon next to a sent message shows how many participants have read it.

 

Translation

Is Chat available in other languages? 

Yes. The app supports 57 languages for the interface, and Chat supports real-time message translation into more than 100 languages.

 

How does translation work? 

Chat uses Neural Machine Translation (NMT) to analyze entire sentences for context and tone, helping the engine understand conversational language so the intent of a message comes through clearly.

 

Does it translate attachments? 

No. Translation applies to live text messages only. Text inside images, flyers, and PDF attachments is not translated.

 

Can the original message be viewed? 

Yes. Tap any translated message to toggle back to the original language. Tap again to return to the translation.

 

 

Chat Safety

Can messages be edited or deleted after sending?

Yes. Long-press any message you sent to see options to edit, copy, or delete it. Administrators retain an archive of all messages for safety and compliance.

 

How is Chat monitored for safety? 

Finalsite uses a hybrid moderation approach: AI-powered content filtering catches harmful content automatically, while district and school administrators provide ongoing human oversight.

 

Can I report a message? 

Yes. Long-press the message, tap Report, and select a reason. School administrators are notified immediately.

 

What happens when harmful content is detected? 

Depending on severity, the system takes one of five actions: no action, flag for human review, shadow block (hidden from others without notifying the sender), block (removed with sender notified), or bounce and block (content rejected and account disabled).

 

What types of content does the moderation system catch?

Text is scanned for bullying, child safety risks, self-harm, hate speech, sexual content, threats, PII sharing, spam, substance abuse, and academic dishonesty. Images and videos are scanned across 11 categories, including explicit content, violence, hate symbols, and QR codes.

 

Is Chat HIPAA-compliant? 

No. Protected health information must not be transmitted through Chat. Use a HIPAA-compliant database or secure email for medical documents.

 

Does this comply with student privacy laws? 

Yes. Finalsite Chat is compliant with FERPA and COPPA. No student data is used to train AI models.

 

What happens if a user is blocked? 

Users who repeatedly violate community standards can be temporarily or permanently restricted from the platform by administrators.

 

Chat Managers (Teachers, Coaches, Staff)

What can Chat Managers do that participants cannot? 

Chat Managers can temporarily block users, mute participants, and report messages. They cannot permanently block users or access the moderation dashboard — those capabilities belong to District and School Admins. Learn more.