Unit Five to Add New Text Message Emergency Plan
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: November 1, 2012
The McLean County Unit Five School District is working to improve communication with students during an emergency.
In the aftermath of a September shooting at Normal Community High School, leaders say they could have done a better job letting students know what was happening.
An alert had been sent to parents' phones, but it had not been relayed to their children.
Now Unit Five is taking steps to correct that, by giving students the option to sign up for an emergency text system.
Those who provide their number will receive instructions via phone if a crisis occurs.
"We tried to keep the parents up to speed; we tried to keep things going with the press and other people. But students were the ones that probably lacked that information," said Superintendent Gary Niehaus.
A text message will be sent out in the event of an emergency.
Signs up forms will be available to students next week.
In the aftermath of a September shooting at Normal Community High School, leaders say they could have done a better job letting students know what was happening.
An alert had been sent to parents' phones, but it had not been relayed to their children.
Now Unit Five is taking steps to correct that, by giving students the option to sign up for an emergency text system.
Those who provide their number will receive instructions via phone if a crisis occurs.
"We tried to keep the parents up to speed; we tried to keep things going with the press and other people. But students were the ones that probably lacked that information," said Superintendent Gary Niehaus.
A text message will be sent out in the event of an emergency.
Signs up forms will be available to students next week.
