School Messenger
GMS uses an emergency notification system called School Messenger, which allows GMS to communicate via SMS/text message, phone calls, and email messages. Contact information (email address and phone numbers) for each student's parent(s) and/or guardian(s) is uploaded into the system at the beginning of each school year. GMS uses this system only in the case of true emergencies and conducts a test of the system annually.
When using School Messenger, GMS will always follow up via email. However, FCC regulations require that users "opt-in" to receive SMS or text messages from systems such as School Messenger. At the beginning of each school year, new families will be uploaded to the system and will need to opt-in so that they can receive these emergency notifications via text message. There are two ways to opt-in to receive SMS/text messages from School Messenger.
1. Any time during the school year, you may send a text message to the short code 67587 with the letter "Y". This will automatically opt-in your mobile phone number. You can take this step at any time to confirm that your number has opted into the system as well.
2. Each fall GMS runs an opt-in campaign. Parents are notified prior to the campaign via email and The Scoop to anticipate the following text message. Responding with a "Y" will opt-in your cell phone number.Â
Note that not all new families will receive this opt-in message. If your child's previous school or summer camp used School Messenger, you may have already opted-in to the system. This step only needs to be taken once for any particular mobile phone number.
If you need additional assistance opting into receive SMS/text message from School Messenger, or if you would like to confirm your opt-in status, you may contact Marjorie Lucks, Director of Program Support Services, (mlucks@girlsms.org). If you need to update the contact information for your household (phone number, email address, etc.) please contact GMS's Registrar, Kirstin Sego (registrar@girlsms.org).