Brandon Twp.-It has been a tradition of winter since buses first rambled the wintery roads of rural communities. In the early morning hours students and parents gather by televisions, radios and computers screens waiting for the magic words that sends kids back to bed, parents scrambling for babysitters and bus drivers a day off.
Snow days’the often joyous midwinter freebee vacation day has been at least a possibility, with ice, snow and cold dominating the forecasts.
But what if the storm hits during the day? And with an ever escalating number of parents heading off to work each morning communications with the school can be a major point of contention.
To help deal with these mid-school day dismissal the Brandon School District has recently expanded the use of the Alertnow Rapid Notification System whenever there is an emergency change in the school day. The district will also use this system when it becomes too hazardous to transport students down back roads after school and emergency drop-off areas are established.
The system can also be used to notify parents of parent teacher confernces or other school function that requires mass notification.
The Alertnow Rapid Notification System is an electronic calling system that will call five times to designated phone numbers. When a person or answering device receives the call, a message explaining what is occurring will be shared. The high school started using the system last year to notifiy parents–other buildings in the district will now utilize Alertnow in the event of an emergency.
‘The safety of our students is our priority, and the use of the Alertnow system is a cost effective way to notify parents of a change in the school or transportation schedule after the school day begins. By using this system, all parents will be notified and they can make appropriate arrangements in a timely fashion.?
It is important that the school has the appropriate phone number to call if an emergency message needs to be shared, added Miller.
‘If you have changed your telephone number or if the emergency contact person’s telephone has changed, it is important that parents contact the school office as soon as possible,? he said.
The Alertnow Rapid Notification System is operated by Raleigh, N.C. based Saf-T-Net Corporation and have provided the service for about four years says Julie Pegram, customer support staff.
At least two other Michigan Schools districts also utilize the Alertnow Rapid Notification System the Utica Community Schools District and Whitmore Lake Public Schools.
‘On average between 90 and 95 percent of the calls are successful,? said Pegram. Our technology is just not there yet for 100 percent. One issue that we have is that during an emergency phone carriers get jammed up, we have to depend on call carriers.?
The district is also recommending that parents form a chain calling system so that parents who are unable to be home to receive the emergency message can be contacted.
Calls can be launch to home phones, pagers, cell phones or emails within minutes. The calls are delivered in sequential order.
The district pays about 18 cents per completed call says Miller. About 3,700 students attend the Brandon School Disrtict.