HPISD Text Message Alerts

Q: What are HPISD's text message alerts?

A: Highland Park ISD launched an emergency communication system in January 2013 that will send alerts to parents', students, and staff members' cell phones via text message. This service will be used in addition to our existing web and email notifications. Text messages will only be sent in the event of an emergency, including inclement weather updates about school closings and delays.

Q: Am I automatically subscribed to this service?

A: No, users must "opt-in" to begin receiving text alerts from HPISD. If you received text messages from HPISD in the past, and you have not changed your cell phone number, you should continue to receive text messages from HPISD.

Q: My cell phone is correctly listed in Skyward, how do I opt into the service?

A: You can opt yourself in at any time by texting the word "yes" to the number 67587. This is the nationwide code that School Messenger uses. Please note that parents whose children previously attended another school district or private school that utilized School Messenger may have already opted in, and will be ready to receive texts from HPISD as long as the phone number is correctly listed in Skyward.

Q: I texted "yes" to 67587, but I received an error message back. What does that mean?

A: Highland Park ISD uses School Messenger, a nationwide company, to send out the text alerts. School Messenger uses "shortcode" messaging, which is not standard on all cell phone data plans. Please contact your wireless provider and ask them to turn on shortcode messaging capabilities. Once this is done, please text "yes" again to 67587. You should receive a confirmation text reply.

Q: How come I received a text message from HPISD in the past, but I no longer receive them?

A: If you changed your wireless plan recently, such as moving from Verizon to AT&T for example, your ability to receive shortcode messages may have been turned off. If you still have the same wireless carrier but updated your contract, this may have caused shortcode messaging to be turned off. Please call your wireless carrier to ensure that shortcode messaging is turned on.

Q: How do I verify that my cell phone, or my child's cell phone, is properly listed in Skyward?

A: Please contact Tina Nettleton, HPISD's Skyward Specialist, at [email protected]