Before Sending SMS Text Messages

SMS text messaging can be an effective and timely way to get short, important messages to people who prefer to receive information on their wireless devices. However, it’s also important to abide by the protocols set forth by wireless carriers and industry regulatory bodies before sending bulk SMS text messages. We've worked hard to create features that improve your compliance with regulations when sending SMS messages.

Opting In

The most important rule to remember when sending SMS text messages is to first ask and receive permission from each recipient to whom you intend to send text messages. This is referred to as an “opt-in process.”  We’ve made the process simple by developing a number of features designed to automate and manage the opt-in process.

If you utilize the SchoolMessenger App or a self-signup web portal to allow your recipients to manage their own contact preferences, then those individuals simply need to access their accounts and add/confirm that they have submitted the mobile phone number where they wish to receive text messages.

If you are new to SchoolMessenger Communicate, or you are importing your SMS phone number data from another source, such as your student information system, then it will be necessary to have those individuals "opt-in" to receive SMS text messages from you.

The opt-in process for imported data is automatic and only takes three steps.

1.    Alert your recipients that you are implementing a service that allows them to receive important information from you via SMS text messaging.  SchoolMessenger can provide you with an Instructional Guide and a template for a letter to your school community with instructions.  

There is also a flyer you can send to parents:

2.    Import your SMS phone number data into your account (our technical staff is available to assist in the process of properly importing data from a range of various sources).

3.    Each contact who provided a new SMS number will automatically receive text message within 24 hours, during daytime hours, informing the to reply with "Y" to opt-in to receiving text messages from your organization.

When alerting your contacts about your SMS system, simply inform them that they will be receiving a text message inviting them to opt-in to your notification service. You may use the example message below (in the "Sample Communication to Families Regarding the Opt-In Process") to inform your school community.

Every new SMS number you import in the future will also automatically receive an opt-in message. Recipients simply reply to the message with "Y" or "YES" to continue receiving your messages.

Important: The wireless carriers have strict requirements regarding the content of the opt-in message and specific text which must be included. In order to comply with these requirements, the opt-in message may not be modified in any way other than the school or district name. The approximate frequency of messages must be included as well as a notice regarding possible message and data rates that could be incurred by a recipient who receives or sends text messages.

Note: SchoolMessenger does not charge any message fees to recipients, however wireless carriers typically do.

Note: By messaging the system's short code with one of the SMS keywords, a recipient can subscribe to or unsubscribe from SMS text messages at any time. See more in About SMS Messaging.

 

Sample Communication to Families Regarding the Opt-In Process

You may use the following message to notify your recipients of your SMS Text messaging system. It's important that you make sure your recipients are notified of the upcoming opt-in message before you import their SMS data. The following information can be sent via a letter, newsletter, or posted on your web site in order to inform recipients of the process and encourage them to opt-in.

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The district uses the SchoolMessenger notification service to send important information to families through phone calls, emails, and text messages.

To comply with wireless carrier requirements and protect against unsolicited text messages, you may receive an text message on the wireless cell phone number which the district has on your file, requesting that you "opt-in" to receive important information from the district via our SMS text messaging service.

The message you receive will come from our 'short code', XXXXX and read similar to the following:

"Springfield CSD messages. Reply Y to subscribe or STOP to cancel. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. Visit schoolmessenger.com/txt for info"

So that you may continue to receive these important messages, we encourage you to reply with "Y" or "Yes" when you receive such a verification message. If you do not reply, you will not receive any further text messages from our schools.

To opt out of all text messages from SchoolMessenger, visit http://www.schoolmessenger.com/txtmsg/ or reply with "STOP" to the opt-in message that you receive. If you opt-in, but later decide to opt-out, simply send "STOP" to XXXXX.  You may also reply "STOP" to any message from our organization.

Please check with your wireless carrier for information about your mobile service plan and any possible charges related to text messaging.  Our organization does not reimburse for any charges associated with sending or receiving text messages.

 

Note: The school district name in the sample opt-in message would be replaced by your own district’s name.

Note: The 5-digit "short code" number your SMS broadcast messages is delivered through may vary.  Please contact your system administrator or SchoolMessenger support if you are unsure which your account uses.