News Summary
As the new school year nears, schools are implementing advanced technologies to improve communication with parents. This shift from traditional methods aims to provide timely and clear information while enhancing engagement. Districts like Spencerville and Lima are adopting platforms such as One Call Now and SchoolMessenger to distribute critical alerts efficiently. The trend also highlights the growing use of educational apps like Google Classroom and ClassDojo, despite challenges in managing multiple notification systems. Schools are working to streamline communication channels for a more effective connection between parents and educators.
Schools in the Area Adopt New Technologies to Improve Parent Communication Ahead of the School Year
As the new school year approaches in various communities, school districts are emphasizing the use of advanced technology to enhance communication with parents and guardians. The shift aims to ensure timely, clear, and accessible information while reducing reliance on traditional methods like print notices and broadcast announcements.
Traditional Communication Methods Evolving
Historically, schools relied heavily on printed notices, radio, television announcements, and paper notes sent home with students to inform parents of delays, closures, or other critical updates. However, as cellular technology has become ubiquitous, many districts have transitioned to digital communication platforms, including email and text messaging, to reach families directly and quickly.
Regional School Districts Implement Digital Alerts
The Spencerville schools district has been proactive in adopting digital communication tools, including One Call Now, a platform for voice calls, texts, and emails that costs approximately $4,000 annually. This system allows the district to send specific notifications—such as general alerts, weather delays, or sports updates—to targeted groups, ensuring relevant information reaches the right audience. Superintendent Brian Woods highlights the importance of maintaining consistent communication channels between parents and educators.
Similarly, the Lima schools district has successfully utilized SchoolMessenger for several years to send critical alerts via text messaging. This platform has helped keep parents informed about school closures, emergencies, and upcoming events efficiently.
System Changes Due to Platform Closures
The Bluffton schools district transitioned to One Call Now after their previous service, Sendit, ceased operations on July 31. Superintendent Greg Denecker notes that the new platform supports not only emergency alerts but also notifications related to athletic events and community activities. The district is actively promoting sign-ups, encouraging families to enroll ahead of the new school year to ensure they receive timely information.
Innovative Use of Apps and Community Platforms
The Wapakoneta schools district and neighboring districts have developed a comprehensive smartphone app to serve multiple communication needs. Using a platform called Thrillshare, the app provides alerts via calls, texts, emails, and social media posts, all managed from a single interface. This approach helps districts distribute information efficiently about staff directories, athletic schedules, and district news.
Growth of Educational Apps and Digital Engagement
The use of educational apps has seen explosive growth over recent years. In 2018, there were roughly 310 million app users involved in education, a number that increased to approximately 709 million by 2023. In the same year, the total number of downloads exceeded 939 million, reflecting broader adoption driven partly by the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the use of remote learning tools.
Among these platforms, Google Classroom has been particularly prominent, facilitating communication, assignment submissions, and classroom collaboration. ClassDojo is another popular app, supporting ongoing communication between teachers, students, and parents, alongside school announcements and behavioral management tools.
Challenges and District Efforts to Streamline Communication
While digital platforms provide convenience, some parents report feeling overwhelmed by the number of apps and alerts they receive. To address this, districts aim to streamline communications by promoting one or two primary notification channels and encouraging parents to register for alerts before the school year begins.
Districts such as Bluffton and Spencerville have made efforts during online registration to automatically enroll families in alert systems or provide clear instructions for manual sign-up. These initiatives aim to maximize parent participation and ensure critical information reaches families in a timely manner as the new school year approaches.
Overall, the trend toward embracing technology in school communication reflects a commitment to improving engagement, transparency, and safety for students and their families across the region.
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Additional Resources
- Lima Ohio: Communication Between Schools & Parents
- News9: School Closings
- KHQ: School Closures & Delays
- PennLive: School Closings & Delays
- WTOL: School Closings & Weather Events
- Wikipedia: School Closure
- Google Search: School Communications
- Google Scholar: Technology in Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: School Communications
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