USD 247 Southeast has changed alert systems and is expanding the use of Google Calendars in an effort to keep staff and families well-informed with what is going on at each school building, as well as within the community itself.

Even though the school district is only occasionally affiliated with community events, USD 247 official Chris Wilson said staff members are frequently asked what they know about community activities, even if it is just in passing.

“It’s frustrating when multiple events are at the same time and to hear about an event after it occurs,” Wilson said.  “We hope this improves awareness about events beforehand and helps reduces the number of community and school functions unintentionally planned at the same time.”

But Wilson said the change he believes could have the most impact is one he hopes staff and parents will barely notice.  The voice, text and email service USD 247 has changed to is cheaper than the previous one and provides the district more control when targeting messages.  Messages can be sent directly to the parents of students in a specific grade level, sport or student organization.

“The only time a parent should get a text message from us is if it affects their child in some way.  For example, each year our seventh graders tour the capitol in Topeka.  If they are on their way back and are running ahead of schedule we can now send out an alert to their parents to give them the heads up.  Only the seventh grade parents would get that alert.”

There is no longer an independent login just for the alert system – it works entirely through PowerSchool, the same system parents can use to monitor their children’s grades.  Parents will update contact information at enrollment and that information is plugged into PowerSchool.  Parents also have more control how they receive “non-emergency” alerts, like event reminders.

“If I’m the parent of a 7^th grader and an alert goes out that the bus coming back from Topeka is running ahead, I want to make sure I get that call, but I’d rather get a text or email reminder about Homecoming activities,” said Wilson.  “Plus, I’m only going to get regular announcements about the activities my kids are involved in.  I have kids involved in basketball, so I’ll get reminders about all of those games and any related activity.  But a family who does not have children involved in basketball will only get reminders about big events – like the home opener, homecoming and senior night.”

Again, parents will be able to update their PowerSchool contact information at enrollment – August 11, 12 and 13.

The Google Calendars are available on the USD247.COM website – click “Calendar” in the main menu.  Google Calendars have been set up for the District Office, Southeast Elementary School, Southeast Junior High School, Southeast High School and Community Events.  Google/Gmail users can add the calendars to their own display by pressing the “+ Google Calendar” button below the list of events.