Superintendent's Message - School Messenger: A New Link to Parents/Guardians

This summer we sent several test messages by voice mail to all parents/guardians. These messages were tests of School Messenger, a notification application that can be used primarily for emergencies but is also for planned general announcements. The system is fully operational and our staff continuously adjusts the database for accuracy. Each school principal also has the capacity to use School Messenger for notification as well.

Here are some helpful tips for parents:

Each emergency presents a unique set of variables, which will be evaluated prior to a decision to use School Messenger. Those variables include nature of emergency, time of emergency, estimated duration of emergency, impact on immediate safety of students, direction given by law enforcement and emergency services agencies, and others. The District's highest priority is to first evaluate and respond to the emergency and ensure the immediate safety of students; and then to notify parents/guardians if the individual emergency dictates.

School Messenger's accuracy is dependent on making sure all information is up-to-date in the school district's database. Any adjustments in your contact information can be made by contacting your local school. It is important to keep your contact information up-to-date at all times, even changes in email addresses.

When you receive a message from School Messenger, please regard it as very important. The caller id will be our main number 415.389.7700. Don't hang up. If you pick up the voice mail at a later date, listen to the entire message. Do not call the school or the District office. If it is an emergency notification, it will include instructions.

School Messenger's primary use will be for the purpose of emergency notifications. Emergency notifications will primarily be sent from the Superintendent or his designee. The system can send 'personalized' messages, meaning an administrator's actual recorded voice; or the system can send 'text to voice' auto messages, which generate an automated message. In the case of the latter, you will also receive an email duplicate of the automated message.

Emergency notifications are sent to up to three (3) phone numbers, land line or otherwise, contained in the District-wide student database. IMPORTANT: This is not the same as the printed District Student Directory! This database is the District's official student database. General (non emergency) messages are sent only to the 'primary' registered number contained in the same student database.

Ken Benny
Superintendent

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For more tips on keeping kids safe please visit the child safety page on the City of Mill Valley Website.

Please note the following emergency contact numbers:

Calling From a Land Line: Please note that calling 911 is the best way to contact law enforcement in an emergency if you are using a land line.

Calling From a Cell Phone: If you live in the city of Mill Valley and call from a cell phone it is best to call 415-389-4170. This will always connect you to a more local dispatch.

If you have any questions please contact the Mill Valley Police Department at 415-389-4100 (non emergenices).