Notification of school emergencies will be sent to parents via phone calls, e-mails and text
messages beginning Jan. 1, 2010
It’s essential that parents, staff and the community be given notice and instructions in the event of a public school emergency. Notification systems involving phone calling, text messaging and emailing have proven critical in emergencies. That’s why I supported the Public Schools Emergency Alert Act (Ch. 31 of 2009).
Recent school closings due to swine flu outbreaks and the unfortunate lockdown in a Queens school in 2007 showed the difficulty with getting accurate information to parents in a quick fashion. This new law enhances public safety and improves the handling of school emergencies.
What the Public Schools Emergency Alert Act will do:
- Provide parents, teachers, staff and elected officials who participate with information during emergencies that concerns the health or safety of those involved
- Release accurate, quick information regarding public school emergencies via phone calls, emails and text messages
- Enable emergency response personnel to better perform their duties while concerned parents are kept informed