eText for schools

Introduction

Have you had to close your school due to snow?
The school bus broken downor delayed?
Letters getting lost in school bags?
Or just general problems communicating with parents?

eText for schools provides outbound and inbound text messaging linked to your school Management Information System. eText for Schools can run on any of your staff computers, and messages are delivered and received securely by our high speed internet portal, without any need for new or special equipment.

One school which has made strides to incorporate the technology is Hertfordshire's Tring School, which implemented a system whereby parents would be informed if their child had not attended that day. Designed as a method to manage absences more effectively, officials have quickly grasped its potential. Speaking to local newspaper the Gazette, head teacher Julia Wynd said: "We are the second biggest school in Hertfordshire so communication with all our parents is always going to be a challenge. 'Texting' is something that is quick and instant. We use it to alert parents when students are absent and we haven't had a reason for it. We don't have a problem with truancy here but it would pick that up."

Data systems manager Amanda Hughes added: "We would be on the ball picking it up straight away. It is cheaper than sending out a letter with a stamp." In addition, she noted that other uses for SMS could see it providing services to a majority, rather than minority of pupils: "If we had a snow day, we could literally send a text to the whole school."
GovernmentIT / Sept 2008

What can eText be used for?

• Parent Permissions - Cut down on the chasing parents for permissions and the time it takes.
• Emergency messages - Let parents and staff know at the touch of a button of school closures, bus breakdowns, medical etc.
• Absentees - Attendance officers can quickly nip attendence problems in the bud, no more sending letters
• Performace issue - Alert parents to performance issues
• Schedule changes - Communicate changes to schedules, exam times, meeting reminders etc.
• Replies - With the inbound number parents and staff can reply, these can be saved for future reference
• Routine information - Any routine information which quick and efficient communication is prefered

Key benefits

• No more 'lost' letters in children's school bags
• Messages are saved for reference and can be printed
• Save time in what is already a very busy day
• Save money and lower carbon footprint verses paper letters and postal costs
• Individual teachers can text direct to parents

The package includes telephone based installation assistance and if the support package is taken, ongoing technical support and all software updates.
No special equipment or other contracts with mobile phone providers are required.

Calculate the savings you could make verses printing and posting letters

Please contact us for more information