An elementary school in Corona, California sent waves of horror and panic through the hearts of the parents of 717 pupils who mistakenly received a text message informing them that their children were missing.
Minutes later, frantic parents showed up at the campus, and administrators at John Adams Elementary School embarked on their mission of damage control, informing concerned moms and dads that the mass text message was sent by an employee in error. It was intended only to be sent to a small, closed group of parents, according to the local Press Enterprise.
The school’s spokesperson, Evita Tapia-Gonzalez, reportedly chalked the incident up to “human error coupled with technology error,” and adding that the incident had prompted changes at John Adams.
“The school has developed a process that provides additional layers of review before messages are sent to parents,”Gonzalez wrote.
Reichardt, who has a management position with the Riverside County Fire Department, was in Banning representing the department that morning. “I take safety and open communication very seriously,” he said. “The notification system in the school could play a vital role when something goes wrong. If the school can’t use it correctly on a good day, I have concerns about how they will function on a bad day.”
He added, “To tell a parent their child is unaccounted for could quite possibly be the scariest thing a parent could ever imagine. I hope they find a way to prevent it from happening (again).”
Contact the writer: pfischetti@pe.com
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Reichardt, who has a management position with the Riverside County Fire Department, was in Banning representing the department that morning. “I take safety and open communication very seriously,” he said. “The notification system in the school could play a vital role when something goes wrong. If the school can’t use it correctly on a good day, I have concerns about how they will function on a bad day.”
He added, “To tell a parent their child is unaccounted for could quite possibly be the scariest thing a parent could ever imagine. I hope they find a way to prevent it from happening (again).”
Contact the writer: pfischetti@pe.com
MORE FROM CORONA
-
CORONA: Fox joins incumbents as city council winners
Montanez, Spiegel reelected; Fox finishes third to take vacant seat
-
CORONA: Ramp closures for 91 construction announced
Green River Road and Maple Street ramps affected by ongoing work
Join the conversation
Comments are encouraged, but you must follow our User Agreement
Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Freedom Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Freedom publications without any notification or payment.
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