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Canfield schools connecting with parents
By Elise Franco
Canfield Board of Education announced several new programs to launch at the start of this academic year.
Rich Archer, district business manager, said soon parents will begin receiving voice, text or email messages regarding school-related happenings.
The system, called SchoolConnects, will allow administrators to communicate with parents immediately about transportation issues, weather delays, events and emergency situations. Archer said the system eventually can be used by classroom teachers to communicate about individual students’ assignments and needs.
“Eight other districts in [Mahoning] county are already using this system,” he said.
The contract is for one year, and the system will cost the district $1.75 per student. Parents will have the ability to receive the messages through any of the three options or to opt out completely, he said.
Archer said the district also is implementing a bully safety tip line that can be used by any Canfield staffer, student or parent to confidentially report dangerous behavior. He said callers will be able to leave a message regarding the issue and will receive a reference number.
They’ll be able to call back after a certain amount of time, and use that reference number to obtain information on how their issue or concern was addressed.
The reference number also will allow administrators to contact the caller to obtain more information. The tip line number is 330-965-2871 and is open 24 hours per day.