Blackboard Connect 5 is an upgraded messaging system for educational institutions, enhancing communication with features like real-time reporting, improved interfaces, and an iPhone app. The system has shown significant capacity for message delivery, offering tools for better parent engagement and streamlined workflows. Schools using Connect 5 can expect improved efficiency, automated messaging, and support for multiple languages to better serve diverse communities.

1. 1Easy Does It: Introducing Blackboard Connect 5Mario JoySVP Client Care Blackboard ConnectTim HensleyFloyd County Board of Education, GADiane Turner and Karen SaundersFederal Way Public Schools, WA1

2. 2Integrated AlertNow and txttoolsStrengthenedmessaging architectureLaunched new applicationsConnect for Teachers Connect Integration Toolkit for LearnDelivered 1B+ messagesDeveloped new features FB/Twitter integration

3. HTML emails

4. Email attachments

5. Weather Alerts

6. Language TranslationsWhat Have we Been up to?Connect 5.0Connect 5.2Connect 5.120112009-2010Set new record: 19M+ messages in a single day2009545M voice calls153M emails4M SMS 2010639M voice calls191M emails8M SMS 2

7. 3What IS Connect 5?A significant upgrade for Connect and AlertNow clients

8. A proven and flexible messaging infrastructure

9. New online environments for organization leaders and the audiences they serve

10. Dozens of enhancements designed to make communications more effective and parents, students and staff more responsive3

11. Proven Capacity to DeliverSame Connect Capacity and FlexibilityConnecting Leadership and CommunitiesProven Capacity to Deliver4.4 million voice messages per hour

12. 3 million emails per hour

13. 2 million text messages per hour5“I need my administrators to be able to manage complex access levels and sites.”“I think a smartphone app would be a perfect addition to your program”“Maintaining contact info is a huge burden on our schools. A parent portal would be a HUGE benefit.”“I want parents to have the ability to set a time to receive outreach messages and attendance calls.”Who Has Been Talking to Us…K-12 client in MassachusettsK-12 client in WyomingK-12 client in KentuckyK-12 client in Arizona5

14. 6What’s New in Connect 5?InterfaceSimpler, more intuitive interface. Enhances ease-of-use and decreases training.TemplatesStreamlined message workflow and pre-set scenario templatesAccess PortalPortal to help you deliver a more customized user experienceGeo-mappingMessage targeting with enhanced geo-mapping and subscriptionsReportingReal-time reports provide better visibility into message deliveryiPhone AppiPhone® app allows you to send messages from anywhere6

15. 7Let’s Take a Walk Through Connect 57

16. Improving Communication Through Mass Notification SystemsTim HensleyAssistant to the SuperintendentFloyd County Schools

17. OverviewAbout Floyd County SchoolsCommunications StrategiesAccomplishments with Mass NotificationAnticipated Improvements with Connect 5Questions

18. Our Mission“Floyd County Schools will provide a quality education for a quality life.”

19. About US10,000 Students1,800 Employees11 Elementary Schools, 4 Middle, 4 High SchoolsLocated in Northwest Georgia 57% Free/Reduced Lunch

20. Communication StrategyOur goal is to build a strong relationship bond between our school system and the many publics in the community by using proven, two-way communications strategies to inform them about the system and listen to the hopes and dreams they have for our schools, children and the community.

21. How we use Mass NotificationUsed Mass Notification since 1991Emergency NotificationGeneral School AnnouncementsAttendance Past Due Lunch AccountsSurveysElections for middle and high schools

22. Connect 5 EnhancementsBest of both worlds (Connect Ed and AlertNow)Again utilize system for past due lunch noticesSocial Media connectivityiPhone appEase of use Easy transition of the Parent Portal

23. Increasing Parental Involvement to Improve Student AchievementDiane Turner - Chief Communications OfficerKaren Saunders - Community Relations

24. District InformationLocated outside Seattle, WA

25. District Size = 37 Schools