Wisconsin schools offer alerts via applications

FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Two eastern Wisconsin school districts are offering smartphone applications to keep parents updated about important information and events relevant to students.

The apps offered by the North Fond du Lac and Lomira school districts send information about mass weather alerts, student grades, lunch menus, school calendars and more. North Fond du Lac launched its app after Thanksgiving break, while the Lomira app has been available for nearly a year.

Jeff Reindl, technology coach at the Lomira School District, said it was the second school district in the state to offer an app. He created the design and coding for the app, which is available through Jostens, the company best known for selling yearbooks and class rings.

"We have a staff willing to try new things in the classroom and the app is a unique way to serve our students," said Reindl, who has also developed apps for use in his U.S. history classes.

The app offered by the North Fond du Lac School District is customizable so parents can choose what kind of alerts they receive, Superintendent Aaron Sadoff told The Reporter Media. He said it's also linked to the school district's social media accounts.

North Fond du Lac parent Robin Maramonte said the app has helped simplify her life by organizing information pertaining to the education of her three children.

"The big thing for me is the calendar because all of the school things like meetings, sports events - if the games are home or away - now it's available at my fingertips, so it's helped a ton," she said.