1st October 2009 - Overcoming Swine Flu with www.TextaParent.ie
- Last Updated: Monday, 14 September 2009 14:59
Being able to send an instant message to parents on their mobile phones in the event of a school closure will prove critical in the fight to prevent the spread of Swine Flu in schools. Informing parents, children and staff as early as possible will reduce the risk of further infection.
In the event of an outbreak of Swine Flu, the biggest challenge facing schools is the ability to inform parents quickly and efficiently according to the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN). "While all schools have put various measures in place to prevent the spread of infection, it is almost inevitable that some schools will have to close if a sufficient number of children or staff fall victim to Swine Flu" according to Seán Cottrell, Director, IPPN.IPPN has advised all Principals to be prepared for such an emergency by availing of IPPN's TextaParent.ie facility, a new bulk text messaging service. TextaParent.ie has been designed by Principals to provide a simple to use facility where Principals can send a single message by computer with instant delivery to all parents in their school.
Every school will have mobile telephone contact details for parents on record. In anticipation of this communication challenge, Seán added that "IPPN has already set up an account on the Textaparent.ie website for every Primary School in the country. Already more that 1000 schools (3,300 Primary Schools in total) have contacted IPPN and activated their accounts".
In the event that the Board of Management of a school, having taken the advice of the HSE, decides to close a school, TextaParent.ie will enable Principals to communicate the decision to parents and staff immediately after the meeting. If a school has to close, TextaParent.ie is a necessary tool to enable Principals to contact parents, keeping them informed of the evolving situation and in particular notifying them when the school is re-opening."Issuing an instant message to parents with regard to a school closure is critical. It prevents parents, children and staff going to school for a further day only to be informed of a closure' stated Seán.
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