Need to know what’s happening at your local school district? Four local school districts have recently rolled out apps, available to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store; giving users quick access on their mobile devices.
Links are available on the landing pages of the following district’s websites: Hart Public Schools, www.hartschools.net; Hesperia Community Schools, www.hesp.net; Pentwater Public Schools, www.pentwaterschools.net; and Shelby Public Schools, www.shelbypublicschools.net.
“The app works well to relay information from the district and for parents to make contact with teachers and other school staff with a few finger taps on their phone. The aim is to have the app and website foster continued updates to parents and the overall community,” Shelby Schools Superintendent Mark Olmstead added.
Each app’s primary function is social media, school notifications, web links, and a few other important documents available for viewing, DeBrot said. “Also featured on the new app is a ‘News’ section, more like a news column featuring things like new employees, retirements, or school services or events that need to be announced and shared longer than a typical social media feed,” said DeBrot.
We know that most people have a cell phone, but not all people want social media. It is a great way to stay informed about a school and skip past the drama,” said Hart Public Schools Superintendent Mark Platt.
In addition, an “Events” section is synced with district calendars (per building) and provides specific dates, times and locations for district events or activities. A built-in mass “Notification Service” allows system administrators to do a social media post or send an important notification, such as a school closing, with just a few clicks. DeBrot said the system has the capability of sending a mass notification to Live Feed, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, Notifications (in the mobile app), SMS, voice call and email all at the same time.
“We love the app for all the ways we can communicate with parents via the HPS app. If we have a bus delay or need to cancel an event, I can do this from my phone in real time. It really streamlines the process and ensures we get the information out to parents the quickest way possible, even when we are not in our offices or at a desktop computer,” Hart Central Office Executive Assistant Kelli Campagna added.
