This message from the principal at Montclair High just landed in my email. Sounds like some parents needed reassurance that all is calm, all is bright today.
We received many calls from parents concerned about a text message that was sent today saying “Montclair Schools Alert.”
There is NO ALERT
We determined that the message being sent is generated by the FCC to confirm that cell phone subscribers want to receive future messages from the schools and to be assured that the sender is not violating FCC regulations.
There is NO ALERT
Well, I’m glad the school sent that email, because I got that text, and it sure looked like something urgent–I think it said to reply to get 5 alerts? Can’t quite remember. I figured I’d hear from one of my kids and/or the school if there was really something up, but it was nice to get the confirmation of no emergency. The text really should have said it was from the FCC, not MHS.
Luckily the school was alerted to the problem.
The alert I got was from schoolmessenger.com, NOT the FCC.
And why would the FCC be concerned with an text blast list (other than being Spam compliant)???
Does the district contract with schoolmessenger.com to handle to text alerts?
Is this going to continue?
If so, this text alert will SCARE the hell out of parents, and then be ignored.
(Is this where I point out AGAIN, that this Principal is abusing the English language usage by failing to use a period??? Is it too much to ask that the principal of the High School be able to communicate in proper English?? And what about this gem: “We determined that the message being sent..” Being sent? It WAS sent. Can someone from the English Dept. get a free class period to proofread for these “educators”?)
NOW THERE IS A REAL ALERT ON MY EMAIL ABOUT A GUY IN A WHITE CAR ASKING A YOUNG GIRL (CHILD) IF HE CAN DRIVE HER HOME FROM THE BUS STOP. BARISTAS PLEASE POST THIS!!!!
December 18, 2009
To: All School Principals
On December 15th, 2009 at an approximate time between 3:40-4:00 in the afternoon at a school bus stop located at the corner of Elm Street and Lincoln Street, a 10 year old Montclair elementary student reports that after being dropped off by her school bus, she began walking home and when she was midway between Irving Street and Maple Avenue she noticed a four door white vehicle pulled over and from the open passenger side window, a white male said “I’ll give you a ride to your house,” then leaned over in the car as if he was reaching for the door handle to open it. The child stated that at this point she began to run into the courtyard of an apartment complex. At that time the child indicated that she saw the car drive east on Lincoln Street, then make a left onto Maple Avenue, travelling north.
Vehicle Description
The vehicle is described as being a white, older model, four-door, compact car. The child was unable to identify the make and model of the vehicle and was unable to obtain a license plate number.
Suspect Description
The suspect is described as a white male with short cropped salt and pepper hair, medium build, possibly in his late 40’s or early 50’s, with a small amount of facial hair just below his lower lip. The child stated that the individual was wearing a gray colored hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The child said that she had never seen the man before but would recognize him if she saw him again.
If anyone in your school or community has seen a man driving a white, older model, four-door, compact car, who matches the description reported by the student, please contact the Montclair Police Department at (973) 744-1234.