Kalispell Public Schools will connect with parents in a new way this year.

The district will be able to communicate via phone, text and email with a new notification system called Edulink.

Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau said the system will allow the district to send immediate notifications in emergency situations, school cancellations and student absences. It also can be used for community outreach.

“We want to share our message about great programs to come or community events that would benefit families,” Flatau said.

He used the system in his previous school district and it proved its worth when there was a bomb threat.

“We had three years ago, a bomb threat and we evacuated the campus. I was able to be in the parking lot sending recorded messages in five minutes,” Flatau said about alerting and updating families.

Flatau foresees sending out general announcements a few times a month. Parents will be able to opt out of receiving general announcements, but not from emergency notifications.

“It is simply our responsibility to inform everyone in an emergency,” Flatau stressed.

Previously, parents primarily could receive notifications by email through a student information system called PowerSchool. Flatau said it is limited in its capabilities and is primarily used for families to access their child’s grades and attendance.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].