On Monday, August 27, parents and guardians of students K-12 in Bethlehem Central School District who have cell phones with SMS texting should have received a text opt-in invitation that looked like this:

Bethlehem Central School District messages. Reply Y to confirm, HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. schoolmessenger.com/tm If you would like to receive text messages, please reply “Y” when you receive this message.

Thousands of district families have already opted-in to receive emergency text messaging from the district (including school closures, delays). If you received the opt-in message, but have not responded, please consider opting in by replying “Y” to the message. You can reply anytime.

It is important to remember that with School Messenger, email will continue to be the primary means of communication with families. Text messages and automated phone calls will only be used in an emergency, including school closures.

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I did not receive a text invitation on Monday, August 27. What do I do now? 

1. Check to be sure your cell phone information is listed properly in the Aspen Parent Portal: https://www.bethlehemschools.org/accessing-primary-contact-information-aspen/
   If you see that this information is not correct in Aspen, you will need to update your contact information by emailing District Registrar Melissa Haas at mhaas@bethlehemschools.org. Please note that it may take a day or two before this information is updated in Aspen. School Messenger syncs with the Aspen Parent Portal on a daily basis so once Aspen is updated, it will take less than 24 hours for your number to be updated by School Messenger.
2. If your information in Aspen is correct, you may already be able to receive messages from School Messenger.
   To find out if you are, simply text “Y” or “YES” to 67587. This is the “short code” number School Messenger uses to send messages on behalf of the Bethlehem Central School District. You can do this anytime and you should receive a confirmation text from School Messenger in response.

   Please note that opting-in lets your cell phone carrier know that you want to receive messages from this number, 67587. Some families are finding that they may have already opted-in to receive messages from this number while enrolled or employed in another school district, or from another source. The most important thing to know is that if your cell phone information is accurate in Aspen, and you have opted-in to receive messages from 67587, you will receive emergency messaging from BCSD. Still not sure? Email bcsdcommunications@bethlehemschools.org

IMPORTANT NOTE: In the event of an emergency, school closing or delay, the district uses multiple communications channels to reach families, including posting to the website, School Messenger, social media, and TV, radio & print media. Always check more than one source of information in the event of school closing, or delay, or in cases of emergency.

More information about School Messenger can be found here: https://www.bethlehemschools.org/emergency-test-messaging-debut-aug-27/