New Way For Schools To Contact Parents |
06 September 2005 |
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Following testing over the summer, the Comhairle will shortly be trialling a new way for schools to communicate with parents. The trial, which will start in mid September at the Nicolson Institute, will use “Groupcall” messaging software to allow schools to communicate quickly with individual parents via telephone, voicemail, email and text messaging. Using the software, schools would be able to deliver messages to parents reminding them of forthcoming events such as parents’ evenings, alerting parents to early school closures, or keeping them informed of school successes and achievements. The software would also allow schools to alert parents to students’ absences and request parents to contact the school if any absence was unexpected. If successful, the software trial, which is assisted by funding from the Scottish Executive, will be extended to all Western Isles schools over the next few months. Vice-Chairman of the Education and Children’s Services, Committee, Councillor Morag Munro said of the new initiative “I welcome the use of this new technology which will help our schools communicate even more quickly and easily with parents, staff and others. Our aim is to provide the best possible education service for our pupils and this will be a tremendous communication aid for our schools”. Parents will be advised shortly before the new communication facility is due to be implemented in any particular school. Further information about Groupcall can be viewed at www.groupcall.co.uk Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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