Du Quoin schools to get messages to parents quickly; System will automatically provide safety, testing and absence alerts

The Du Quoin school system has signed on with SchoolMessenger, a company that provides notification services for parental outreach, emergency broadcasts, and student attendance communications for K-12 education. Now, parents can receive phone calls, text alerts, social media, and emails about a range of important issues affecting their students' safety and academic performance.

SchoolMessenger will be used to complement the district's existing emergency preparedness procedures and to inform parents of upcoming school events such as statewide testing and parent meetings. The alert service from SchoolMessenger is proven to measurably impact student safety, parental involvement, staff communications, and student attendance.

Parents should expect to receive test notification from the system during the coming week. Parents should contact their child's school to update their phone and e-mail contact information if changes occurred since the beginning of the school year. Beginning Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 if your child is absent and you have not notified the school, you will be receiving notification from this new system regarding your child's absence.

This system will not replace current modes of school communication. Administrators and teachers are still accessible for live visits and the district will still send home paper-based information when necessary. Acquisition of the SchoolMessenger system is intended to reinforce the district's commitment to remain connected to parents and families of the district.