By Brian Lewis
In our fast-paced society of social media and other instant alerts, it’s easier than ever to stay up-to-date on school closures and delays that can impact your family.
Recent winter weather forecasts remind us that now is a good time to be prepared.
Student safety is our No. 1 priority when snowy or icy conditions threaten. We don’t want buses or families driving in dangerous conditions to get children to school.
When these conditions loom, several staff members and administrators check the road conditions early to ensure they are safe to travel. If they determine the roads are not safe, administrators will determine whether schools should have a delayed opening or be closed until conditions improve.
Arlington Public Schools uses a system called FlashAlert Newswire to alert the media and others of school closures or delays caused by bad weather, hazardous road conditions or other emergencies.
Parents, students, staff and community members can register up to three email and/or cell phone text addresses for free in a single account and receive information at the same time as the news media.
You can sign up to receive alerts about Arlington Public Schools and other school districts in the area.
As soon as the district posts the information to the FlashAlert system, a message will be sent out. The media uses this same delay or closure information on their broadcasts.
A free iPhone/Android app, FlashAlert Messenger, is also available to subscribers for free.
If weather conditions threaten during the school day and there’s a change in the school schedule, a phone message will be sent to families.
We want to make sure families and community members have the most up-to-date emergency information about our schools.
Register for the FlashAlert Newswire today at www.flashalert.net/signup.html.
By taking a few minutes now to register your information, you can have the peace of mind knowing you will receive the most current emergency closure information about your child’s school.
Brian Lewis is the executive director of operations for Arlington Public Schools.
