AlertNow Parent Notification System

Introduction

Keeping parents informed is a priority so Springfield Public Schools offers the AlertNow Notification Service. This system allows the district and individual schools to contact parents via phone with important announcements about emergencies or important school events. There are two types of AlertNow message.

Parents will be notified of cancellations or early dismissals due to inclement weather, scheduled holidays or early release days among other important announcements. Additionally, individual schools may send parents messages highlighting upcoming events such as report card distribution, testing dates and attendance reports.

The success of this system is dependent upon accurate contact information for each student. Please be sure you complete an AlertNow Student Information Sheet and return it to your child’s school by Sept. 21, 2009. Notify your school’s office immediately if contact numbers change.

To ensure accuracy of the system and contact information provided, two districtwide tests of the AlertNow Notification Service will be conducted in October. Students will recieve a letter for parents, explaining the tests in greater detail.

Upcoming AlertNow tests

To ensure accuracy of the system and the contact information in the AlertNow database, the district will conduct the following districtwide tests:

1. Tuesday, Sept. 15, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. the following test message will be sent to all staff:

“Hello. Springfield Public Schools is conducting a districtwide test of the AlertNow system. You are receiving this test message because you are an SPS employee. If you believe you are receiving this message in error because you are not an SPS employee, please call (417) 523-0300 or e-mail alertnow@spsmail.org to have your name removed from the database. Thank you for your assistance.”

2. Tuesday, Oct. 6, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. the following Informational Message will be sent to all students and staff:

“Hello. Springfield Public Schools is conducting a districtwide test of the AlertNow system. You are receiving this Informational Message because you are listed as a Primary or  Secondary contact for an SPS student OR you are an SPS employee. In the future, when you receive Informational Messages they will pertain to school cancellations, student absences, activities or other routine announcements. If you believe you are receiving this message in error because you do not have a child in SPS schools or you are not an SPS employee, please call (417) 523-0300 or e-mail alertnow@spsmail.org to have your name removed from the database. Thank you for your assistance.”

3. Tuesday, Oct. 13, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (Rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27) the following Priority Message will be sent to all students, student emergency contacts and staff:

“Hello. Springfield Public Schools is conducting a districtwide test of the AlertNow Notification Service. You are receiving this Priority Message because you are listed as the Primary, Secondary or Emergency contact for an SPS student OR you are an SPS employee. In the event of an actual emergency which poses imminent danger to the physical safety of students and/or staff requiring evacuations and/or relocations, you will receive a call with important information. Please note that “411” is displayed on caller ID to indicate this is a Priority Message. If you believe you are receiving this message in error because you do not have a child in SPS schools, you are not an emergency contact for an SPS student or you are not an SPS employee, please call (417) 523-0300 or e-mail alertnow@spsmail.org  to have your name removed from the database. Thank you for your assistance.”

To Correct Phone Numbers

For Parents
If your child’s correct contacts were not called or contact information changes during the year, please phone your child's school and confirm the correct telephone number that should be called.     

For Staff
If you do not receive AlertNow calls contact your building administrator and confirm the correct telephone number that should be called.

More AlertNow information