[smarty~pants]

I'm trying to do some research about sms alert systems for primary schools. Attendance/truancy probably doesn't matter so much - its more about communicating with parents ie reminders or notices about cancelled events etc.

Does anyone have any information on these sorts of systems or does anyone's school use one?

Thanks!

[tibs]

Not in the ACT but NSW. One of our local public primaries uses Twitter for the purpose you described. It is cheaper I guess

Edited to add I just asked my friend who's son goes there and they now use a smartphone app that the school uses to provide updates etc. I don't even have a smartphone so I'm glad my son's school aren't so tech savvy

This post has been edited by tibs: 27/02/2013, 12:35 PM

[JKTMum]

Our Catholic primary and secondary uses it. Primary for whole school or whole year level reminders (especially if there is a compulsory after hours meeting for a year level) or if something is cancelled/changed at short notice, especially anything to do with buses or if school is cancelled the following day due to excessive heat or extreme fire danger (pretty rare, but it has happened as many of the kids have to travel through high fire danger areas to get to school as we are outer suburban Melbourne and some kids come from the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas).

Secondary school uses it again for reminders of year level after hours activites or special meetings and also uses it if the student fails to turn up in the morning (and the parent hasnt contacted the school ie if they are away sick or at an appointment) and for things like failure to hand in an assignment or failure of an important exam or test which will count towards the end of term/semester mark.

For things like newsletter reminders, then email or the school's facebook page are updated with a link to the website for further reading.

[brazen]

no sms system at our school but they have just got an app and i got a notice on my phone today that the P&C meeting is on tonight (more notice would have been better but anyway...)

[ZombieMum]

Our high school will sometimes send out an sms to alert us to upcoming events, and reminders. Not sure what system they use, but both DH and I will receive an SMS.


Primary school has used it a handful of times - think it was first done when we had the first Code Red day.

[KAS]

Our school is currently using a system called Jatly. http://www.jatly.com
It is a smartphone app that can send Alerts for something that is urgent or messages for less urgent matters. These alerts and messages are sent to your local area or you can search for the hash-tag of your school to see all of the school messages. It is sort of like a local twitter.

Not only is it free, it can actually be used to earn IT equipment for your school.
There is more information on the site http://www.jatly.com or http://www.jatly.com/install
And also on the IT for Schools site http://www.itforschools.com.au/
If you would like any further info, just let me know.

This post has been edited by KAS: 27/02/2013, 01:15 PM

[frozie]

Our school uses a SMS system. If your mobile number is on the enrolment form when your child first started school, you will receive all the messages. DH and I both get them.

The school also has an app which is very handy. It has all relevant info in there and you can even use it to let the school know if your child is sick (instead of filling out a form or sending a note).

[Perfect2]

We hav just moved to a school that uses sms but I am unsure about what system they use. It is great through! Was particularly useful when school was effected by heavy rain early this year and school had to close for a day.

[tarind]

Our school has an app that sends out alerts. was very useful when the first day of school was cancelled due to the school flooding.....3alerts were sent out within half an hour.

while they still rang everyone it gave people more time to prepare babysitters etc as it took along time tto ring every family

[mumto3princesses]

Our Primary School and High School both use the SMS alerts. Its good.

The primary school do reminders and notices of cancelled or postponed events etc.

While the High School will send out a text if your child is 5mins late or away that day. You can send a reply SMS back or send in a note the following day. They also send out an SMS when their reports have been given out and are going home that day LOL. But we have to check their website to check if carnivals etc are still on or been postponed.