A new system could make communication easier among teachers and parents at Hempfield Area School District.
Remind, an application that can be used on a smartphone or through a district email, would allow teachers to interact with students in specific classes, send reminders for homework or notify parents in case of an emergency.
“These communication tools are a little bit more than your daily email communications,” said Brandon Wagner, technology director at the district. “These have varying levels for the elementary — you’re able to send pictures to mom to see what kind of crafts the kids are doing or weekly homework reminders when you get to the secondary level.”
With an individual code for each class, students and teachers are able to send messages that can be tracked and recorded by the district, without either party having to give out a cell phone number.
More than 150 teachers in the district already are using the free version of the app, Wagner said, with over 6,000 sent messages.
Remind can integrate with some apps already being used and with Skyward, used for parent contact information and class rosters.
“It’s very user-friendly,” said school board member Michele Fischer, who uses the app. “Parents don’t have to pay for it, either.”
District officials will vote on a three-year, $50,400 contract at Monday’s school board meeting. Money for the Remind system would come from budgeted information technology funds, Wagner said.
Administrators will be trained on the system in August if the motion passes.
The school board meets at 7 p.m. at the district administrative building, located at 4347 Route 136.
