Like many things in this world, schools have become more complex over the years — evolving from the one-room schoolhouse to the sprawling, intricate facilities we see today.
This is where it becomes essential to embrace new technologies. Among these resources are school notification systems that automatically spread important messages throughout a building, keeping students safe and informed while making life easier for staff.
Here's how you can make the most of your school notification system:
Configure for Emergency Automation
The most advanced school notification systems consist of screens placed throughout the building, able to convey all kinds of emergency messages coordinated with situation-specific tones and voice instructions. Proper configuration means teachers can focus on teaching while the system takes care of vital emergency functions.
In the case of a fire, for instance, screens can inform students of the nearest exit route. Similarly, instructions can be customized for emergencies such as severe weather or lockdown scenarios.
Customize Urgent Messages
Getting students where they need to be at various times of the day can be hard enough. The task takes on yet more weight when safety is at stake.
These systems can send specific messages to certain parts of the building, even to individual teachers, depending on the number of integrators installed. Exit routes displayed on-screen can be tailored to different parts of the facility, other kinds of customized instructions can be issued as well.
In a lockdown scenario, for instance, students on one end of the building might be told to exit silently through a particular door, while students in another area are instructed to shelter in place and possibly take further precautions.
Prepare for Severe Weather
In addition to responding to internal threats, notification systems can display alerts based on information provided by the National Weather Service.This means precious seconds aren’t wasted as messages are displayed, telling students and staff to seek shelter.
Use Automatic Emergency Personnel Notifications
These systems are also important for their ability to automatically notify emergency personnel, so it is important to make sure your system is configured to contact the proper authorities.
Additionally, the systems can be programmed to contact key school personnel via email and text messages. This can prove especially vital when staff is faced with chaos as they try to keep their students are safe.
Use it Every Day
While emergency preparation is the most important task for a notification system, you'll mostly use it to keep everyone informed of day-to-day happenings. Take advantage of the displays spread throughout your school to keep people up-to-date on schedules, weekly and monthly calendars, and special events like assemblies, field trips, and guest visits.
Also, don't forget about the basics. Use your notification system's synchronized time-keeping feature to keep everyone on the same page.
American Time's EverAlert®️ Emergency Communications Platform performs all of the tasks listed above, allowing you to streamline your communications by accomplishing what might otherwise require multiple vendors. Learn more here.
