Since text messaging is a relatively new technology, the following questions and answers were developed to address or demystify the concept of using your cell phone as a means of receiving and reading a notification in the cell phone display.
What is text messaging?
Text Messaging, also called SMS (Short Message Service), allows short text messages to be received and displayed on a cell phone or sent by a cell phone.
Messages can typically be sent to a cell phone via a special e-mail address, which usually consists of cell phone number with the carrier's domain name. Messages can be sent to cell phones as regular e-mail but with certain length limits.
What do I need in order for my cell phone to receive school closing and cancellation notices?
In order to receive school closing notices, via your cell phone, you must have text messaging service from your wireless carrier. Most wireless carriers have text messaging services available. Please contact your wireless carrier to determine if this service is available for your cell phone.
I have a cell phone but I don't know what my cell phone e-mail address is
A cell phone e-mail address normally consists of your 10-digit cell phone number and your carrier's domain name. For example, if your cell phone number is 222-111-3333 and your wireless carrier is Verizon, your cell phone e-mail address would be 2221113333@vtext.com. Please contact your wireless carrier for your cell phone's e-mail address.
Is there a cost associated with receiving a text message from my cell phone?
Please contact your wireless carrier to determine of there is a cost for this service.
What would happen if I mistyped my cell phone e-mail address when I subscribe to your list?
After you subscribe to the list successfully, you should receive a “welcome” message as an acknowledgement of your subscription. If you do not receive a “welcome” message, try to subscribe to the list again. (If you entered the same e-mail address twice, you will be notified with the message that says “You are already a member of the ‘scc' mailing list”.
Will I see the entire message on my cell phone display?
Different carriers have different message length limitations. When a closing and cancellation message is sent via vbschools x-tra, the message will be kept as short as possible.
Where can I find more details about school closings and cancellations notices since my cell phone can only display short messages?
Should there be a school closing due to inclement weather or an emergency situation, the home page of the school division's Web site www.vbschools.com will provide you with current and detailed information.
A portion of the text message appearing in the display of my cell phone appears to be unrelated to the contents of the message. Should I be concerned?
Some cell phones may display text messages in a different manner than what we are accustomed to viewing on a computer screen. This should not prevent you from reading the emergency notification sent to your cell phone. We hope this will improve as technology advances.
The school division's Web site (vbschools.com), local television and radio stations have updated information relating to a school closing or cancellation, however, I have yet to receive this notice via my cell phone. Is there a reason for this delay?
Notification will be sent to vbschools x-tra school closing and cancellation subscribers once a decision is made to close or cancel schools. Our staff will make every effort to ensure you receive this notice in a timely fashion. However, certain technical conditions beyond our control may cause a delay. Virginia Beach City Public Schools is not responsible for messages that are lost or significantly delayed due to transmission via the Internet.
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Last Modified on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Disclaimer • Site Map |
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