Nida نداء
School announcements, calendars, messages, photos, volunteer hours, and notifications, all organized in one simple place for MCS and Alim Academy families.
Everything families need to stay connected
Nida brings the most-used parent tools together, so important information is easier to find and act on.
Announcements
Read school updates in the Feed, with the newest posts shown first.
Messages
Contact staff or quickly report an absence, late arrival, early pickup, or time away.
Calendar
View events in Month or Agenda format and RSVP when requested.
Photos
Browse school albums shared with your family in a private parent space.
Give20
Use the Give20 interface to log and keep track of your family’s volunteer hours.
Notifications
Choose push, email, SMS, or Telegram and set quiet hours for regular alerts.
Sign in in three simple steps
Have the email address used for your family’s Blackbaud account ready before you begin.
Open Nida
Visit nida.alimacademy.org on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Use your Blackbaud email
Enter the same email address/ID connected to your Blackbaud family account. Continue with Google or Apple only when that is the same account, or tap Email me a sign-in link.
Review your settings
Choose notification channels and connect Telegram if you would like alerts there.
Private announcements and class conversations
Telegram is optional and free. Nida uses it in two different ways:
School bot
The school bot sends announcements privately to you. Other families do not see these messages.
Class chats
Class chats are groups where families and the teacher can talk. Everyone in that class group can see what is posted.
- In Nida, open Settings → Telegram and select Connect Telegram.
- When Telegram opens the school bot, tap START.
- Return to Nida and select Join for each class chat you want.
Add Nida to your Home Screen
iPhone or iPad
Open Nida in Safari, tap Share, then choose Add to Home Screen.
Android
Open Nida in Chrome, open the browser menu, then choose Add to Home screen or Install app.
Quick answers for common parent questions
These details help families finish setup and use Nida confidently.
What if my sign-in link expires or Nida cannot find my account?
Each emailed sign-in link works only once. If it is expired, request a new one. If you see “No Nida account was found,” the school likely has a different email address for you. Call the office at (301) 340-6713.
What if one of my children is missing from the Feed?
The line “You’re seeing updates for …” shows every child covered by your account. If a child is missing, contact the school office so the family record can be corrected.
How do email, push, text, and quiet hours work?
Open Settings → How you hear from us. Push alerts work from the home-screen app. To receive texts, add your mobile number under Your details, tap Send code, and enter the verification code. Quiet hours hold normal overnight alerts, but urgent school messages still come through.
Can the school tell when I read an announcement?
Yes. Opening an announcement with Read more records that it was read. You can search for older announcements, and comment when the school enables comments on a post.
How do messages and absence notices work?
Use New Message to contact a teacher, the office, or another staff member. Replies appear in Nida and as a notification. For an absence, choose My child is absent today, select the child, add an optional note, and send the notice.
How do calendar RSVPs work?
Switch between Month and Agenda. Closures and early dismissals are highlighted. When an event asks “Who’s coming?”, choose your answer, add any extra guests, and tap Save RSVP.
For the complete in-app guide, visit Nida Help →. You can also review Nida’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Ready to get started?
Use the same email address connected to your Blackbaud family account.
Need account help? Call the school office at (301) 340-6713.