A technical issue with the regional school notification system caused for confusion and frustration early last week.
The South Shore Regional Centre for Education sent out their usual morning text and e-mail notifications when they closed schools across the region last Tuesday.
Lori Ferrania, Executive Assistant at SSRCE, said due to an issue with the system’s new mobile app, which the notification was sent out on, some parents didn’t receive notice until later in the day.
“The app was a little bit different than logging onto the actual platform we use,” she said.
“We had done some testing earlier this year, but when it was sent on the cancellation date last week, something went wrong.”
There were also reports of issues with their site causing for closure alerts to not show up on some mobile devices.
Ferrania said while the system has worked in the past, parents should not rely solely on it for alerts of cancellations.
“Technology is not perfect,” she said.
“What we try to explain on our website and in our newsletters is that parents need to have a backup. If you know of any bad weather coming in the next few days, you should be listening to the local radio station, as they are the first people we contact.”
Ferrania said they tested both the normal notification system and the mobile app that evening and are confident the same issue shouldn’t arise in the future.
She also noted the SSRCE is apologetic for the mishap.
