News Summary
As the new school year approaches, schools in Ohio are adopting technology to improve communication with parents. Various districts are implementing alert systems like One Call Now and SchoolMessenger to deliver important announcements, updates, and notifications efficiently. This transition from traditional methods aims to foster better engagement and support for students while addressing concerns about notification overload. The rise of education apps reflects a broader trend in educational technology, as families increasingly rely on these tools for timely information.
Spencerville, Ohio – As the new school year approaches, schools across the region are increasingly adopting technology to enhance communication with parents. This shift aims to ensure that families are well-informed about important updates related to school operations, including announcements on delays and cancellations, as well as general school notifications.
Traditionally, schools relied on print materials, radio, and television announcements for conveying such information. However, with the advancement of cellular technology, many districts are now utilizing more efficient and immediate communication methods. The importance of this shift is underscored by school leaders who emphasize that effective communication between parents and educators is crucial for the success of students.
In Lima, schools have successfully implemented SchoolMessenger as their primary text alert platform for several years. Meanwhile, Bluffton schools recently transitioned from the now-defunct Sendit text alert platform to the new One Call Now system for sending notifications. Bluffton’s superintendent discussed the district’s efforts to improve their athletic alert system and other event notifications, underscoring its importance to the community.
Spencerville schools have also made a similar switch to One Call Now, committing approximately $4,000 per year towards this text alert functionality. This system allows for targeted notifications based on specific groups, which includes general alerts and sports updates, ensuring relevant information is delivered efficiently to parents and guardians.
In Wapakoneta, schools have partnered with area districts to develop a user-friendly smartphone app that offers alerts and essential district information, such as staff directories and athletic schedules. The app utilizes Thrillshare, centralizing notifications across various platforms, including phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media posts. This move reflects a broader trend observed in educational technology, with the number of education app users rising dramatically from 310 million in 2018 to 709 million in 2023, as families increasingly rely on technology for communication.
Moreover, the surge in education app downloads in 2023 has reached 939 million, with platforms like Google Classroom seeing significant use during the COVID-19 pandemic. ClassDojo is also notable for easing communication between teachers and students, alongside facilitating school announcements.
Despite these advancements, some parents may express feelings of overwhelm due to the sheer volume of communication apps and alerts they receive. To address this concern, districts are actively working to minimize notification overload, striving to balance the flow of communication without burdening families with excessive alerts.
As the new school year nears, Bluffton schools are making efforts to promote their new alert system, encouraging parents to sign up ahead of the school year to ensure they receive timely notifications. While some districts automatically enroll families in their alert systems during online registration, others require parents to manually sign up for these services.
Both Bluffton and Spencerville districts remain focused on encouraging families to register for alerts, as the integration of technology in school communications continues to evolve. With schools increasingly embracing digital tools, the goal remains to enhance the partnership between home and educational institutions, fostering better engagement and support for students’ learning experiences.
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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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