Annoying as heck!

[Chocolate Cake]

Our school system proudly unveiled a new phone system this year that could be used to make district-wide announcements directly to student's home phone numbers.   Now, instead of finding out about school closings by tuning into the radio or TV, parents receive the phone call between 5-5:30am.  That part is awesome.

The bad part is that the school is going hog wild on using the phone system for other, far less critical announcements -- sporting events, some student's accomplishment, and other things going on at the school.   That's all well and good when those calls are made in the early evening.  However, several times now, those calls are coming in at 6:00am! 

I about had a heart attack when the phone rang this morning that early.  Yep, turns out it was the school about some stupid thing that could have easily waited or not been announced that way at all.   Now, I'm up although I was hoping to get more sleep this morning and my littlest guy is prematurely awake, too.  ARGH!

Anyone else have a similar situation or related stories to share?

[Tabris]

I think you should acquire the home phone numbers for the principal and whoever else makes the decisions about the phone announcements and call them at 3:30AM to thank them.

Barring that, yes, document the stupid calls and send a complaint to the school district, the PTA board, the school, and anyone else you think might have the authority to stop the nonurgent calls.

[ShadesOfGrey]

I think you should acquire the home phone numbers for the principal and whoever else makes the decisions about the phone announcements and call them at 3:30AM to thank them.

Barring that, yes, document the stupid calls and send a complaint to the school district, the PTA board, the school, and anyone else you think might have the authority to stop the nonurgent calls.

ITA

[Sharnita]

Tee-hee. As a teacher, the school announcements made on the PA are always made at the worst possible times - during exams, during state standardized tests, etc. It seems like the people with the power of the announcements have an inborn sense of timing that is miserable.

[ZipTheWonder]

I would SO be at the next meeting of the school board about this. 

I wouldn't even appreciate a phone call at 5 am to tell me that we can sleep in because school is closed.  Unless it's an emergency, they need to pull the trigger on school closures the night before. 

I would totally NOT appreciate being notified of anything other than important matters.  I don't need to get a call about the Student of the Month of the price of milk being raised to 65 cents.  If I want to know about sports or other activities...I'll check the district website or get on the email loop.  I would bet you are FAR from alone in being put out by these nuisance calls.

[Tabris]

You know what? If you can't get back to sleep after one of those nuisance calls, then DEFINITELY see if you can't call the school secretary or the principal (whomever is in charge of the decision to phone-tree) and  call them **immediately** to find out what you must do about yesterday's volleyball win.

Make sure you're in a total "panic" because the phone call should only be for urgent matters, and yet **it didn't tell you what to do about the volleyball game.**  Are you supposed to be baking cupcakes now? Knitting a "Victory" sweater for the coach? WHAT???

After three or four of those return calls, I bet someone would get the idea. ("I just got called that Emilia Cervantez was student of the month! WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THAT!?!!")

[FolkRockFan]

I would go to the next school board meeting - with as many likeminded parents and guardians as possible.

[ShadesOfGrey]

You know what? If you can't get back to sleep after one of those nuisance calls, then DEFINITELY see if you can't call the school secretary or the principal (whomever is in charge of the decision to phone-tree) and  call them **immediately** to find out what you must do about yesterday's volleyball win.

Make sure you're in a total "panic" because the phone call should only be for urgent matters, and yet **it didn't tell you what to do about the volleyball game.**  Are you supposed to be baking cupcakes now? Knitting a "Victory" sweater for the coach? WHAT???

After three or four of those return calls, I bet someone would get the idea. ("I just got called that Emilia Cervantez was student of the month! WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THAT!?!!")

hehe - this is even better... 

[Lunadiana75]

You know what? If you can't get back to sleep after one of those nuisance calls, then DEFINITELY see if you can't call the school secretary or the principal (whomever is in charge of the decision to phone-tree) and  call them **immediately** to find out what you must do about yesterday's volleyball win.

Make sure you're in a total "panic" because the phone call should only be for urgent matters, and yet **it didn't tell you what to do about the volleyball game.**  Are you supposed to be baking cupcakes now? Knitting a "Victory" sweater for the coach? WHAT???

After three or four of those return calls, I bet someone would get the idea. ("I just got called that Emilia Cervantez was student of the month! WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THAT!?!!")

Oh Tabris, I luuuuurrrve that evil mind of yours, and I can't stop laughing.

[blue_bunny_paz]

How ridiculous!

Although I do like the idea of emergency alerts. I remember listening to our county's radio station as a child waiting to see if we got a snow day or not. We were right at the end of the alphabet of well over 100 schools. We would wait and wait for "Westcliff High School for Girls" to be announced.
"Westborough Primary School, Westcliff High School for Boys. These schools are all off today."
I don't think we ever actually got a snow day. We were only allowed to go home when the bus companies advised the school it was unsafe for us to go home. I never understood the logic.

Sorry, that was OT.
You should defiantly make an official complaint. Surely the school has a newsletter or some other way of telling parents about events?

[Chocolate Cake]

Thanks, everyone.  Since the automated message was specific to my son's school only, I left a note of complaint for the principal yesterday.  We'll see if he responds......

[CocoCamm]

Our school system proudly unveiled a new phone system this year that could be used to make district-wide announcements directly to student's home phone numbers.   Now, instead of finding out about school closings by tuning into the radio or TV, parents receive the phone call between 5-5:30am.  That part is awesome.

The bad part is that the school is going hog wild on using the phone system for other, far less critical announcements -- sporting events, some student's accomplishment, and other things going on at the school.   That's all well and good when those calls are made in the early evening.  However, several times now, those calls are coming in at 6:00am! 

I about had a heart attack when the phone rang this morning that early.  Yep, turns out it was the school about some stupid thing that could have easily waited or not been announced that way at all.   Now, I'm up although I was hoping to get more sleep this morning and my littlest guy is prematurely awake, too.  ARGH!

Anyone else have a similar situation or related stories to share?

As someone who has trouble sleeping the idea of this really makes my blood boil. Calling people for non emergencies at 6am? What maroon thought this one up?!? Sleep is precious especially for parents of youngsters. I banish your sons school to EHell!

[Chocolate Cake]

I *think* the reason why the school feels it's okay to make those calls at 6:00 is that most students, and at least one parent, are probably getting up about then (school starts at 7:25am).   What they fail to realize is that other people, like younger siblings and stay-at-home parents, are also in the household and don't need to get up at that ungodly hour.  No response yet from the principal.....

[CocoCamm]

I *think* the reason why the school feels it's okay to make those calls at 6:00 is that most students, and at least one parent, are probably getting up about then (school starts at 7:25am).   What they fail to realize is that other people, like younger siblings and stay-at-home parents, are also in the household and don't need to get up at that ungodly hour.  No response yet from the principal.....

I think you hit the nail on the head!

[ShadesOfGrey]

I think it's similar (in principle, but not in consequence) to yelling 'Fire!" in a crowded theater.  There's a reason that that is illegal...