ConnectEd

To Our Community

Westbrook School Department is pleased to announce the launch of the Connect-ED^® service, our new school-to-parent communications service. With the Connect-ED service, our school district can send periodic and personalized voice messages to parents within minutes. The Connect-ED service will be used to complement our emergency preparedness procedures and to inform parents of upcoming school events such as statewide testing, fund-raisers and PTA meetings.

To Our Parents/Guardians

The Connect-ED service will enable us to personally communicate with parents about emergency situations, school events and important issues impacting your child. It will allow us to send personalized voice messages to your family’s home, work or cell phones. Essentially, we can make one phone call and reach all of our students’ families within minutes. Furthermore, this allows us the ability to make one phone call to reach everyone in the entire district within minutes.

What constitutes an “Emergency Message”

Situation Time Individual to Send

a. Evacuation	Send immediately	Superintendent & Principal
b. Weapon on Campus	End of day	Superintendent & Principal
c. Lockdown	Send immediately	Superintendent & Principal
d. Fire	Send immediately	Superintendent & Principal
e. Bus Accident	Send immediately	Superintendent & Principal
f. Injury or Death	End of day	Superintendent & Principal
g. Inclement Weather	5.30 A.M. Scheduled, only if appropriate	Superintendent & Principal

Connect-ED is a powerful communication tool for our district. In order to not over-utilize it, the following types of calls are allowed and not allowed:

Allowed:
Parent-Teacher conferences
School Emergencies
Early Dismissal
School Testing Reminders
Special Events
Holidays-Exit and Return Policy
Picture Day
School Events
Fund Raising Activities

Not Allowed:
Political Messages
Weekly ‘Status Updates’
Messages that should come from the district (ballot initiatives, School Board notices etc...)

Languages messages are delivered:
a. Emergency Messages
b. Outreach Messages
c. Attendance Messages

Based on the system’s proven track record, we know this message service will improve school and district-wide communications with parents and school system employees. More information about the Connect-ED service may be found at http://www.NTIGroup.com.