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Maryville City Schools sent a test message via their school-to-parent communication system last week.

After receiving the test's results, school officials are considering the system a success.

ParentLink successfully sent out 4,623 messages in a 10-minute time span last Thursday. However, nearly 9.6 percent of the system's 5,116 total attempts were undeliverable.

"It's certainly a success for our first attempt. It highlights the importance of not only having correct information but up-to-date information," said Sharon Anglim, director of communications for Maryville City Schools.

Despite this success, an area of interest did arise during the test. Nearly 28 percent of the messages went to answering machines, according to the school system's results.

ParentLink would likely be used for an emergency during the day, said Anglim. Parents should be aware their contact information may vary depending on their work schedules, she said. "We need to make sure we have the best way to reach them."

School officials hope to have corrected contact information for families by next week. K-8 students have brought flyers home in their Friday folders and high school families have been sent postcards.

ParentLink uses personalized telephone calls and e-mails to forward emergency information, daily absences and important news and announcements from schools. All calls are automatically placed to the primary phone number listed in a school's student records.

Central office staff only received two phone calls from people who had mistakenly received the test message. If anyone else mistakenly received a test message, they are being asked to report the incorrect phone number to Maryville's central office administrative staff at 982-7121.