The Liberty County School System is about to launch the second phase of its parent notification app, and is urging parents to sign up for it and download it.
The Stopfinder app launched in October, and more than 950 parents have signed up to receive notifications through the app, according to the school system. The app allows parents to see their child’s transportation schedule and receive notifications. It also allows parents to share the child’s schedule with a caregiver.
The second phase, set to launch next month, will have geo alerts, which will allow parents to track their child’s location real-time, such as where their child’s bus is.
“We are excited to introduce this new notification feature that will keep parents informed about their child’s transportation information and it will improve communication,” said Arnold Jackson, school system director of operations.
While nearly 1,000 parents have signed up for the app and the notifications, the system transports more than 7,800 students each day. School system officials want to get the word out about the app to the parents so they can start getting the notifications.
“We do encourage everybody to sign up so we can keep track of all our children,” school board Chair Verdell Jones said. “It is a long time coming and we are happy that it is here. But we want everybody to take advantage of it.”
Added Superintendent Dr. Franklin Perry, “We really need help getting our parents to sign up for this.”
An email was sent to all parents and guardians back in October about the app’s launch. Parents and guardians who did not receive the email are asked to update their contact information in PowerSchool and to follow up with the system’s transportation department at (912) 3696654.
The Stopfinder app is available for download on Google Play or in the app store.
School board members also have approved spending a grant given to the YMCA from the state Department of Early Care and Learning. The grant, at $192,460, will buy equipment and materials for the system’s elementary schools and its Pre-K Center. The YMCA provides PRYME TYME afterschool programs across the district.
With the grant, outdoor playground equipment is getting replaced and there will be new bottle filling stations, storage cabinets, AEDs and rubber mulch provided. The most money from the grant, $40,000, is going to Waldo Pafford Elementary. The Pre-K Center is getting $13,860 from the grant and the remaining elementary schools get $23,100 each from the grant.
The work is projected to be completed in March.