SMS Text Messages and Automated Voice Calls
Raritan Valley Montessori Academy uses text messaging (SMS) and automated voice calls to communicate with parents, guardians, and staff about school operations, closures, emergencies, attendance, and school activities.
Types of messages we send
Our messages fall into three categories:
- Emergency notifications: school closures, severe weather, lockdowns, evacuations, and other urgent safety communications.
- Operational alerts: early dismissal, late buses, attendance notifications, schedule changes, and other day-to-day school operations.
- Informational messages: upcoming events, picture day, parent-teacher conferences, school news, and similar announcements.
How you opt in
You may consent to receive SMS messages and automated voice calls from Raritan Valley Montessori Academy through any of the following methods:
- By completing the SMS opt-in form available on our website and checking the consent box.
- By providing your mobile phone number and authorizing communications on your child’s enrollment form.
- By providing your mobile phone number verbally to the school office and confirming your consent to receive SMS and voice communications. Verbal consent is logged with the date and staff member who recorded it.
Message frequency
Message frequency varies. During normal operations you can expect to receive a small number of messages per month. During emergencies you may receive multiple messages in a short period.
Cost
Message and data rates may apply, as set by your wireless carrier. Raritan Valley Montessori Academy does not charge for these communications.
How to opt out
You may opt out of SMS messages at any time. Reply STOP to any text message you receive from us to stop further messages. To resume receiving messages after opting out, reply START. You may also opt out by contacting the school office at the number below.
For automated voice calls (non-emergency), you may opt out by following the in-call instructions, by contacting the school office, or by updating your communication preferences in the parent portal.
Under the Federal Communications Commission’s Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) rules for schools, emergency notifications sent to protect student safety may continue to be delivered even if you have opted out of non-emergency communications, as permitted by FCC declaratory ruling 16-88.
How to get help
Reply HELP to any text message to receive support information, or contact the school office at 908-595-2900.
How we protect your phone number
We use your phone number solely for the school communications described above. We do not share, sell, rent, or otherwise disclose your phone number with third parties for marketing purposes. Your number is processed through our school communications platform and our SMS and voice service provider under contractual data-protection terms. We retain your number for as long as your child is enrolled at Raritan Valley Montessori Academy and for a reasonable period thereafter for record-keeping purposes.
Your rights
As a parent or guardian, you may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your contact information at any time by contacting the school office.
Terms of Service for SMS communications
By consenting to receive SMS and automated voice calls from Raritan Valley Montessori Academy, you agree to the terms described in this section. These terms supplement the rest of this Privacy Policy and govern your participation in our SMS and voice communications program.