SchoolMessenger (Previously Connect 5): Mass Notification System

During an emergency situation, your child's welfare is critical. Keeping parents informed and involved helps to assure student safety and improve student success. The Connect 5 Messaging System utilized by Isle of Wight Schools disseminates important information quickly and accurately to parents, students and staff. With this system, we are able to deliver time-sensitive messages about school closings and delays, student attendance, events and activities, and schedule changes, as well as safety announcements in the event of an emergency.
 
If you have a child attending Isle of Wight County Schools or are an employee, you will automatically receive messages via your home phone number. Parents, these are the numbers provided in your child's contact information within PowerSchool. Staff, these are the numbers the Human Resources department has on file for you in MUNIS. IWCS employees with an IWCS email address will automatically receive alerts via email. 

CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION

It is imperative that your contact information be up to date in order for you to receive emergency information and other notifications.  Any changes in parental contact information should always be reported directly to your child's school. Employees should contact the Human Resources department to report any changes in their contact information.

SchoolMessenger Mass Notification System

Isle of Wight County Schools has transitioned to SchoolMessenger as our new mass notification system. SchoolMessenger replaces our former system, Connect 5, which is no longer active. SchoolMessenger is part of the PowerSchool product line. Because IWCS already uses PowerSchool as our student information system, this new platform provides improved integration and more timely updates to family contact information. IWCS and our schools use SchoolMessenger to share important information with families and employees, including school closings, safety alerts, transportation updates, school events, reminders, and other timely announcements.

Action Needed: Opt In to Receive Text Messages

Families and employees must opt in to receive text messages from IWCS and our schools.

On Friday, July 17, families and employees should have received the following text message from SchoolMessenger:

Isle of Wight County School District messages. Reply Y to confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/tm.

To opt in, reply Y or Yes to the message.

 

SchoolMessenger text messages will come from the short code 67587. We recommend saving 67587 in your phone contacts as IWCS SchoolMessenger. This may help prevent third-party call blocking or filtering systems from interfering with important messages.

 

You may also opt in at any time by texting Y or Yes to 67587 from the mobile phone number you want to receive messages on.

 

Why Do I Have to Opt In?

Text messaging rules require recipients to give permission before receiving mass text messages. Because standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan, recipients must be given the opportunity to opt in to receive messages.

Opting in is very important. If you do not opt in, you may miss important or time-sensitive text messages from IWCS or your child’s school.

 

How SchoolMessenger Works

SchoolMessenger allows IWCS and schools to send phone calls, emails, and text messages to families and employees using contact information on file with the division.

For families, contact information is connected through PowerSchool. This means it is important for parents and guardians to keep their phone numbers and email addresses up to date in PowerSchool.

For employees, contact information must be current in the employee information system used by IWCS.

Text messages can only be sent to mobile numbers that are both:

  1. listed in the appropriate IWCS system; and
  2. opted in to receive SchoolMessenger text messages.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SchoolMessenger?

SchoolMessenger is the mass notification system now used by Isle of Wight County Schools. It allows IWCS and schools to send important phone, email, and text notifications to families and employees.

Why did IWCS switch from Connect 5 to SchoolMessenger?

Connect 5 is no longer active. IWCS transitioned to SchoolMessenger because it is part of the PowerSchool product line and provides better integration with the student information system already used by the division. This helps improve the accuracy and timeliness of contact updates.

What kinds of messages will I receive?

IWCS and schools may use SchoolMessenger to send messages about school closings, delays, safety alerts, transportation updates, attendance, school events, reminders, and other important announcements.

How do I opt in to receive text messages?

Text Y or Yes to 67587 from the mobile phone number where you want to receive IWCS and school text messages.

You may also receive an invitation text from SchoolMessenger asking you to reply Y to confirm.

What number will the text messages come from?

SchoolMessenger text messages will come from the short code 67587.

We recommend saving this number in your contacts as IWCS SchoolMessenger.

Can SchoolMessenger texts come from a regular IWCS phone number instead?

No. SchoolMessenger uses a short code for text messaging. Short codes are commonly used for mass text notifications because they are fast, secure, and reliable.

How do I know if my opt-in worked?

After you text Y or Yes to 67587, you should receive a confirmation message from SchoolMessenger.

The confirmation may say:

You’re registered for SchoolMessenger notifications. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/txt

If you receive this response, your opt-in was successful.

What if I receive an error message?

If you receive an error message such as Service access denied, Message failed, Shortcode texting may be blocked, or Does not participate, short code text messaging may not be enabled on your mobile phone plan.

Please contact your wireless provider and ask them to enable short code SMS text messaging. Be sure to specifically say “short code” text messaging, as this is different from regular person-to-person texting.

What if I do not receive the opt-in message?

If you do not receive the opt-in message, please make sure your mobile phone number is correct and up to date.

Families should check their phone number in PowerSchool or contact their child’s school for assistance.

Employees should make sure their current mobile number is on file with IWCS.

You may also contact your mobile carrier to confirm that short code text messaging is enabled on your account.

I opted in, but I am still not receiving text messages. What should I do?

Please check the following:

  • Make sure you texted Y or Yes to 67587.
  • Make sure your mobile number is correct in PowerSchool or the appropriate IWCS employee system.
  • Allow time for updated phone numbers to sync with SchoolMessenger.
  • Contact your wireless provider to make sure short code SMS text messaging is enabled.

Can I opt out later?

Yes. You may opt out of SchoolMessenger text messages at any time by replying STOP to a SchoolMessenger text message from 67587.

Will I be charged for text messages?

IWCS does not charge recipients for SchoolMessenger text messages. However, standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan.

Is my information protected?

SchoolMessenger is designed for school communication and follows privacy standards for handling contact information. IWCS uses the system to communicate with families and employees and does not sell contact information.

For IWCS Employees

Training for employees who need access to SchoolMessenger will be scheduled soon. Until training is provided, employees may continue to use Remind where available for school-based communication.

Employees who need assistance sending messages to families should contact the IWCS communications office.

Need Help?

For assistance with your contact information, please contact your child’s school.  

 

For issues related to short code texting, please contact your mobile carrier and ask whether short code SMS text messaging is enabled on your account.

 

For additional support, contact Lynn Briggs, Director of Strategic Communication, Policy, and Public Information, at [email protected] or by calling 757-357-4393.