District Administration - July 2010 - (Page 47)

Advertisement Rapid Communication System Connects Home and School A large Michigan district uses AlertNow to strengthen ties to home T raverse City is located in Northern Michigan on sages in multiple languages to keep parents and staff informed Grand Traverse Bay, a protected waterway of Lake of both urgent and non-urgent situations. Recipients may set Michigan. This region is known for its spectacular their own preferences by selecting the best device or mode for natural beauty, and rolling, wooded terrain inter- receiving certain notifications, so messages are fully deliverable. Blackboard mass notification solutions deliver 60 million mesrupted by acres of cherry orchards. Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) is a high-per- sages each month on behalf of more than 5,000 schools and forming district that provides PreK-12 curriculum across 13 districts in all 50 states. Communication surrounding attendance is a frequent conelementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, cern. “AlertNow has helped to reduce the and an alternative high school. With an number of unverified absences among enrollment of more than 10,000 students students,” said Arnold. “This information across a geography spanning 300 square has increased dialogue between parents, miles, this district is as vast as the deep students, and teachers to communicate in waters of nearby Lake Michigan. a timely manner for resolving unverified But with size comes a pressing concern absences.” about engagement. In surveys, residents AlertNow has assisted TCAPS in expressed concern that a large school improving community outreach espedistrict meant less communication, less cially during times of considerable ability for parental involvement, and less concern for parents, students, and comindividualized attention for students, all munity leaders alike. “In 2009, TCAPS of which translates to possible underschool district was forced to close for five achievement for students. Within the days due to an H1N1 Influenza epidemic,” past few years, TCAPS began experiencArnold recalled. “There was a need at that ing direct competition from charter and “I cannot imagine life time for immediate communications to parochial schools in the region, in addibefore AlertNow. It is a school families regarding school closures, tion to a challenging statewide economy. vaccination clinics, and announcements As a result of these concerns, TCAPS vital resource we cannot from the County Health Department. sought to implement a mass commudo without.” The Health Department relied on TCAPS nication tool to efficiently reach school to disseminate critical information. Our families and staff on a regular basis to school district was consistently cited as a build stronger school-home relationships. TCAPS explained in a stated purpose “all communica- key partner in promoting effective and timely communications tion will increase support and engagement among students, during the epidemic by using AlertNow.” AlertNow has become integral in supporting TCAPS in its staff, parents, and community for improved relationships and quest to improve attendance, achievement, and communicastudent achievement.” “In today’s environment, parents, teachers, the commu- tion. “Now that we have fully incorporated rapid communinity and all stakeholders of public schools expect instanta- cations tools into our strategies, I cannot imagine life before neous communications regarding events going on at their local AlertNow,” Arnold said. “It is a vital resource that we cannot schools,” said Alison Arnold, director of marketing, communi- do without.” cations, and volunteer services in the district. “Instant commuFor more information please visit www.alertnow.com, call 800.213.7168, nications is considered a basic service, not an extra.” The district implemented the AlertNow rapid commu- or email info@alertnow.com. nication system in November 2008. AlertNow, a Blackboard company, is a comprehensive rapid communication service specifically designed for the education community. Located in Raleigh, N.C., AlertNow delivers voice, e-mail, and text mes- www.DistrictAdministration.com July/August 2010 47 http://www.alertnow.com http://www.alertnow.com http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - July 2010

District Administration - July 2010
Contents
Advertiser Index
Letters
From the Editor
News Update
Sustainability Update
Technology Update
Curriculum Update
Administrator Profile
District Profile
The Golden State Loses Its Luster
Seeking Justice in San Francisco
The Push for Public Preschool
Gearing up for the New Assessment
Books
Products
Online Edge
Supervisor’s Insights
Crisis Response
Supervisor’s Opinion
Tech Disruptions
Professional Opinion
Professional Opinion

District Administration - July 2010