Our Viewpoint Editorials

JISD opens another line of communication

A new line in the battle of communication will be unveiled Monday, Dec. 10 by the Jasper Independent School District.

The district will implement its School Messenger program during a test run on the students in the district. The system will allow the district to contact both students and employees of the district in one mass call to deliver important messages.

This will allow the district to reach students and employees in case of an emergency that causes the closing of the campuses, such as the flooding that hit the area last year.

The system will also allow parents to better monitor their students attendance as a call will be sent out on any day a student misses a day of school to verify that absence.

Eventually, the system will filter out emails as well to student's parents as a backup to any phone message that is delivered.

While the system cost the district, the end result will be a better line of communication between the district and its patrons and that is priceless.

All to often, many complain about not being in tune with what is happening at their students' campuses. Many complain that they fail to receive notices stuffed into backpacks and are quick to blame the schools.

But with the implementation of this program, the district will take a positive step in opening those lines of communication a bit farther.

During Monday's test, the district is asking all patrons of the district to make sure they receive a phone call to verify the numbers are correct that are on file.

Everyone is urged to call your students' campus if you fail to get a call Monday evening.

Roses go to….

t The Newton Eagles and Kirbyville Wildcats are their fine football seasons. Both squads were eliminated Friday, Nov. 30 as they strongly represented Southeast Texas in high school playoffs.

t ETHAN medical camp, which was held Dec. 1 at the Community Church. The program provides valuable assistance to the community by providing free health care to the area.

t Kudos to the many area fire departments, which attended the training conference, held at Jasper High School this past weekend. The more certified volunteers a department has, the lower the ISO rating. And a lower ISO rating means lower fire insurance for residents.