District to implement emergency alert system Will send notify parents of inclement weather, other emergencies BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - After months of discussion, the township school district will implement the Honeywell Instant Alert security system in all of its 24 schools. "Instant Alert uses multiple technologies to send accurate notifications to our parents instantly," said Superintendent Vincent Smith. The Honeywell Instant Alert security system, which is an Internet-based emergency notification and communication system, provides school administrators an effective way to rapidly and accurately contact every student's family in the event of a serious emergency. Within minutes of an emergency, school officials can use Instant Alert to deliver a single, clear message to the parents and guardians through multiple transmission devices including telephones, cellular phones, pagers, e-mail and personal digital assistants [PDA] to immediately send critical information to all parents and guardians of the 14,000 students in the district. Additionally, the system also enables the district to notify parents and guardians for routine communications such as inclement weather, changes in sporting events and extracurricular activities. "It's more than just a system used [to communicate] a snow closing or delayed opening," said Business Administrator Dennis DeMarino. "Individual schools can send notifications through the system about Parent Teacher Organization [PTO] meetings, conferences and half days." To use Instant Alert, a designated school representative initiates a message through a secure Web site or by phone. The message is instantly relayed to all contact points provided by parents or guardians. Parents can update their contact information online and specify how they want to be reached. "The calls made [by the school] are unlimited," said DeMarino. "The parents or guardians can prioritize the calls that are made whether it's their work number first, then their home number and so on." Smith said with the implementation of the Honeywell Instant Alert security system, the district recognizes the crucial role that student security plays in affording pupils and faculty with a safe learning environment; thus, providing direct communication between parents and guardians, and the district-at-large. "With Instant Alert, we are assured that our parents receive messages directly from our central administration building and not inaccurate information from outside sources." Board of Education members discussed the alert system at an October board meeting. Board member Brian Molnar, who said their discussions with the Colts Neck and Hazlet school districts, who have already implemented the instant alert system, have been positive; however, he asked the school administration if they had a 'Plan B' if the alert system failed. DeMarino said the system could "never" essentially fail. "If the system fails, it [the calls] would go to another call center," he said. DeMarino added that the administration said after discussion about the alert system, they feel that the system is right for the school district and will be a big payback for the school district at the end of the year. According to the Honeywell Web site, the Instant Alert is a much more efficient way to communicate with parents, faculty and staff because it eliminates the time and money associated with paper and phone-tree communications and the technology costs required to purchase and maintain auto-dial or broadcast e-mail systems. Staff and funds can be redirected to education. For more information about the Honeywell Instant Alert security system contact the school district at (732) 602-8549 or visit www.honeywell.com/instantalert.