Every so often the worst in us can bring out the best in us. Every so often, we can take a tragedy and turn it into something positive.
In light of Sierra LaMar, who went missing the morning of March 16 while she walked to her rural bus stop less than a mile away, the school district has the chance to examine the policy surrounding student absences and improve their notification system.
LaMar’s mother was notified at 6 p.m. that Friday evening, according to school district policy. And, while an earlier notification may not have helped in this case, it can’t hurt to examine the policy and better use cell phones and social media to keep parents aware of whether or not their child is at school.
The district’s policy includes two systems currently in place to notify parents of an absence at the high school level: an automated voice call that goes out about 6 p.m. and a system called the Home Access Center, a website that allows parents to log online and see in real-time if they’re child did or did not show up to a class that day. They can see, for example, if their child cut class during fifth period, or check on their grades. The system can also notify them by email in real-time.
But not all parents have the capability to use that system, so it behooves the district to reexamine current policy and adapt to changing technological advances.
It should be pointed out that these systems are in place to notify parents when their child is absent, not to alert parents or police that there may have been an abduction.
“We are looking, as we are always are looking, to improve our efficiency and effectiveness,” said Superintendent Wes Smith. “Every year we analyze what can be better to continuously improve.”
He said one possibility could be adding text message notifications in real-time that parents can opt for, similar to the current email notifications parents can receive through the Home Access Center.
That’s one possibility. Others ideas are out there. Parents need to be notified as soon as possible, and perhaps twice a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.
The reality of modern technology is that the proliferation of cell phones, and the advent of Twitter and Facebook and other social-media tools can be incredibly useful for spreading the news.
Let’s not let a tragedy define us, let’s define the tragedy.
