To receive non-critical voice messages, parents need to:
- verify their phone number
- opt in to receive priority notifications with voice.
- Critical Alerts override individual notification preferences
Parents can manage phone number verification and their notification preferences in: My Account → Notifications
Why is phone number verification required by a parent?
Schools are required to comply with U.S. laws governing automated phone calls and text messages. The primary law is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), along with related FCC regulations.
Under these regulations:
- Automated voice calls and SMS messages generally require prior express consent from the recipient.
- Consent must be tied to a specific phone number and an identifiable recipient.
- Schools and their service providers must be able to demonstrate that consent was obtained if questioned.
Phone number verification helps establish that:
- the phone number belongs to the parent or guardian associated with the account, and
- the parent has explicitly opted in to receive automated voice calls and text messages.
Verification protects:
- schools, by reducing legal and compliance risk
- parents, by preventing unwanted or misdirected calls
- the communication system, by ensuring responsible use of automated messaging
For these reasons, School Signals requires phone number verification before voice calls or text messages can be delivered in non-emergency communication.
