The iAlert Instant School Closing System

I never understood why agencies, school districts, churches or businesses wait until the 1st big snow storm to sign up for the iAlert System.

I guess it's the organized, over-achiever in me which says 'be prepared' before it happens!

Honestly, I was never a girl scout, but I would have made a darn good one!


So we at wkyc have the iAlert Instant School Closing System. For example, a school supt. contacts our administrator, signs up, is given a password and ID and a packet of information on how it operates. Every once in a blue moon, a kink pops up...but for the most part, the system is a dream.

The principal or school administrator can close his or her school or district themselves typing in exactly what they need to share such as 'closed Monday,' or 'evening classes cancelled,' or 'all activities cancelled.' You get the picture.


I, working on the news desk, 'police' the entries that automatically come in to the system. I can not even believe the mistakes.

First, I think there is a rule where you have to use the computer to close your school in advance but you can use the phone system the morning of the day you are thinking about closing. Many still don't get this concept. At least this is how it was last year....

Doesn't seem to be a big deal-- after the stroke of midnight, call off your school via the phone.


There are other discrepancies which wind up on the system. All sense of following directions seems to fly out the window.


And I never understood how the smaller groups that join don't have a 'phone chain' in place. It's common sense. Every organization should have a list of their members and if something goes awry, they should start the calling chain to get the info out to every last member!!


Some of the bigger no-no's: I have teachers calling off for Friday yet it says Monday? They are only calling off for one day yet the expiration date is a week later.


It's quite simple and all spelled out in the paperwork sent out and then while enacting the closing. The operator just needs to pay attention, follow the directions, and adhere to each step --step by step.


All in all, the iAlert Instant School Closing System is a wonderful tool that anyone connected to a school, church, business, or big organization should subscribe to in order to get the word about themselves. It's a huge help to our customers, our viewers, those who log on wkyc.com or who subscribe to our text alerts.

There are mornings when we have upwards of 500-1000 schools who have called off and we, as a news agency, must get this information out to our customers as quickly as possible.

Please, if you have not joined the iAlert system yet, think about it and log onto wkyc.com and take the proper steps to do so before the next big snow event. It will only help your group and more easily facilitate your closing or cancellation.

2 hot button questions STILL being asked

Over the last few months, I've been BOMBARDED with two popular questions:

• Where is Tim White?


• Do I have school tomorrow?

I've already addressed each topic in past 'Swing by and spray' entries.

If you will indulge me, I'd like to revisit these questions.

Though the Tim White question is 'the most popular' of the two, I'm going to talk about school closings and our iAlert School Closing System first, in light of living in the tundra!

Kids out there --we don't know if your schools are closed until YOUR administrators close them!!!! We don't close schools. You can log onto wkyc.com and click iAlerts to get an up-to-the-minute list of all the school closings. If there are many, we will run them throughout the day. Otherwise, school closings scroll throughout all of our live news shows, especially during the weather forecast!

We recently upgraded our school closing system. It's bigger, it's better, and much easier to use. With any new system, there are bugs to work out. So, please bear with us!

I'd like to make the plea to all administrators of schools, churches, businesses, day cares, or any organization out there that would like to be part of our iAlert System--please sign up! Before the snow flies!!!!!

You can call between 7am and 3pm and speak with Amy Sisak to get the ball rolling. Or the easier method may be to fax (216.344.3314) or email (asisak@wkyc.com) a request to become a member on school or company letterhead. Include your name and # and email...your organization....and any other pertinent information you deem important! Ms. Sisak will get back to you as soon as she can to set you up into our system giving you an ID and Password. She will also send out a packet of information to walk you through the system.

Once you are set up, you can actually go to the iAlert website to close your school YOURSELF. It takes seconds. Once you enter your ID and Password and Login, you need to choose a status such as 'closed' or 'evening classes cancelled.' You get the idea. If there is not one tailored to your needs, choose the one CLOSEST to your needs.

You also should be cognizant of choosing an expiration time. If you don't choose one, your school will remain closed past your deadline. That would be bad!!!!

The computer re-opens three times a day: 10am, 4pm, and 10pm. Please be sure to choose the correct expiration prompt.

I can not tell you how many school closings I've had to fix after an administrator entered their closing. I've had to correct dates --let's say it is Tuesday but the administrator closes school for Monday? Doesn't make sense. If there is not an expiration time, we have to manually go in and amend. OR, I've noticed that administrators have been putting an expiration time ONE WEEK from the day they close--which would give their kids a whole week off! I don't think that's their plan!?!?!

I know it's a new system that everyone needs to get used to but please read over your brochures carefully and complete every single step in order to make the system work like a charm!!

Now, the bigger looming question: Where's Tim White?

I get at least a dozen calls every single day, if not more, asking where is Tim White?

• Is he on vacation?


• I've been away for the holidays and just got back, where is he?


• We miss him immensely.


• It's a shame he is no longer on your station.


• He and Romona were the best anchor team in town.


• He was the best anchorman I've ever seen.


• I'm gonna have to switch tv stations.


• Where did he go?


• He was a true professional, it's too bad you let him go.


• I loved watching him report the news.


• He was one of the most intelligent anchors in town.


• We'll have to live with what's left.

And the list goes on and on and on.......every day.....

Heck, I'm sure they will linger on for years--I still get callers asking where Leon Bibb and Connie Dieken are!!!

Tim left the station mid-December. I can not speak for the station or for what transpired in his departure.

Click on the following link which will take you to the story posted on wkyc.com.

Tim White to leave WKYC after contract

To read Tim White's poignant good bye to all, click on 'End of an Era'

I hate to admit it, but I have not spoken to Tim in the new year. I hope to speak to him soon, and when I do, if he's amenable, I'll pass on his update and any kind words he has for his faithful fans and viewers!

iAlert System & so much more...news is closed!

Wednesday, thus far, has been an extremely busy news day. And that is why I am in this business! Factoring in the weather and school closings alone would be enough. These tasks are my sole focal point today.

But wait, there's more.

We have Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones in house speaking live on air during our 7pm Show with Senior Political Reporter Tom Beres, Carole Sullivan, and Eric Mansfield about the Medical Mart.

Mike O'Mara covered a story that hits close to home for me. He went to the arraignment of Dr. Yazeed Essa, who has been charged with poisoning his wife, Rosemarie, back in February of 2005. I went to high school with Rosemarie's sister, Deanna. Every time we hear from the DiPuccio family, see Deanna in our video or hear the awful story behind this case, I get chills knowing that someone I know is living this nightmare.

Our newsroom has been bustling today. A few folks from The Plain Dealer dropped in to look around and talk to staffers --why? Honestly, I am not privy to why at this time, and if I were, I'm betting I could not share with you! I'm sure we will all read about it in the PD over the coming days or weeks.

The email continue coming in...and I've learned that even if the email comes in before or after I arrive, I still need to wade through every single piece. It may not be addressed to the entire news desk or some of it may be falling through the cracks due to the mass amount we are dealing with....so better safe than sorry! But, this too, takes up a good bulk of my time!



As many of you already may have heard, we have updated our iAlert School Closing System.

There are now 3 bars of information for our viewers including a 'just in' line for newer closings and delays.

With any new venture or project, there are bugs that need to be worked out...a 'work in progress' so to speak.

So far, my experience with the system has been a dream! It is much quicker, easier and can allow us to type the day closed, status, and include a time for the closing to expire.

I've spoken to many customers who have voiced their concerns, though, about the system.

Many callers say the screen is too much. Others say with their new fancy HDTV's, they can not see the very bottom line or the sides get cut off.

Still other administrators who are trying to use the phone-in system get cut off and can not type in the status they desire. I've been trying to get everyone to log onto the website and do it that way, which is so much easier.

I'm sure, part of the problems are the school folks getting used to the new system, and some user error.


Many supers and program directors claim they never received a new packet of information....


This will be a learning process for all involved. But again, overall, it has been a dream on this end.


I urge superintendents, school and church administrators, company bosses, business leaders who want to be a part of the iAlert System to send or email a request on company letterhead to either newsdesk@wkyc.com or asisak@wkyc.com or fax 216.344.3314. Our system administrator will get back to you with an ID and Password and packet of information on how to use the upgraded system.

And remember for the future, do this BEFORE the snow falls!!!!! It will make your life much easier!!!

Hit or Miss business

Our weather folks did a wonderful job mapping out where the warnings and watches were, who 'should' be getting the heaviest snowfall totals, and sharing all the necessary details our customers needed to know about this new year snow storm.

Kudos to AJ, Betsy, Hollie, and Bruce!

It's hard to do.

From my end of it, I was lucky.

As an assignment editor (and a traveler), I skated by pretty easily with this latest storm.

Friday was like any other day, for the most part.

We had snow. My two reporters were on 'snow patrol' but, at least during my shift, there was nothing 'out of the ordinary.'

No horrendous accidents, no road closings, no airport shutdowns, no planes sliding off runways, no weather-related medical calls.

And considering we have our new and improved I-Alert school closing system, we really had minimal calls from administrators asking for help. They seem to understand the upgraded system. On our end, it is a dream. When I did get school folks calling in, I was able to assist them within seconds! We still need to work out a few bugs, but so far, so good!

The scanners were slow and quiet most of the night.

I even stayed late. We had a 'scheduling snafu.' There was no one scheduled to relieve me. Though I was not required to stay, I wound up staying about 3 extra hours (no charge!) past the end of my shift 'just in case' something happened with the weather (being the dedicated employee I am!!). Nothing!

After hearing there could be 'gloom and doom,' I was a bit anxious at how the roads would be once I did leave the newsroom.

It took me only 10-15 minutes extra to get home. What a dream. At times, the roads were a bit slick, but I was not 'white knuckling' it at all. Getting up a few hills I encounter were fine. And when I got home, I was able to maneuver around my neighborhood, which is usually impossible during big snow storms.

The worst of it: my driveway! Our plow guys never came until Sunday!

Stay warm, stay safe this winter season! And tune into Channel 3 News and wkyc.com for the most accurate weather coverage from all of our forecasters!!!!!