Group calls, emails, and texts

Important messages from the District and school are sent to all parents and guardians using our mass notification system, which can send emails, calls, and texts.

Parents and guardians should make sure their contact and emergency information is current in PowerSchool in order to receive emergency notifications, District and school-specific news, announcements and calendar reminders. The messages go to all parents/guardians who provide information through our annual re-registration process as well as to all Colonial School District employees.

When there is an early dismissal, cancellation, or delay, we notify families by email, text, and phone. Please note that the number you’ll see for our text messages is now 610-835-8302 (general outreach). We will likely use this code for inclement weather text communication, since most of the time, you will be anticipating a notification. Emergency messages will come from a short code of 53291. 

We recommend saving the longer number in your contacts as “Colonial School District Alerts” so you always recognize messages from us. Our mass communications vendor, Finalsite, is moving away from short codes in favor of local phone numbers, in line with industry best practices. Local numbers are more familiar and trusted by recipients, improving message delivery and recognition.

NOTE: Opting out of one email or phone call type opts parents out of all emails, phone calls, or texts. Recipients can call the Opt-out Hotline [855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)] anytime to opt-out of informational calls or to opt-back into calls. To opt back into texts, reply START to "97178" from the phone that was opted out. Reply START to "53291" for emergency messages. To opt back into email, contact your child's building for assistance. 

To learn about how decisions are made with regard to inclement weather days, please click here.