# Notifications and messages

> Academium SMS Help › Your workspace
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-notifications
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

The bell in the top bar shows your **notifications**, with a count of unread ones.

## Your inbox

The **Inbox** lists notifications sent to you, for example:

- **holiday reminders**, ahead of a school holiday;
- **messages** from the School Owner or School Admins;
- for the School Owner, a notice whenever a **fee payment is reversed**.

You can **mark one as read**, **mark all as read**, **archive** notifications, and bring archived ones back. Archived notifications older than 90 days can be cleared.

## Sending a message to staff

The School Owner and School Admins can send direct messages from the **Direct Messages** tab:

1. Write the message and choose who receives it.
2. Send it now, save it as a **draft**, or **schedule** it for later.

Drafts and scheduled messages can still be edited. Once sent, a message cannot be changed.

## On your lock screen

If you allow it in your [preferences](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-personal-preferences.md), unread notifications appear on your lock screen. Tapping one opens it once you have entered your PIN.

## Pop-ups and sounds

New notifications can pop up briefly with a tone. Choose where they appear, how long they stay, and the tone and volume in your preferences.

> **Note:** Notifications are for school staff. Parents and students do not sign in to Academium SMS, so they do not receive notifications here.

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