New Security and Phone Numbers for Chappaqua Schools

(Editor's Note: Below is a copy of an announcement from the Chappaqua Central School District about several changes for the school year)

With aging copper wires and an antiquated voicemail system, the Chappaqua Central School District took a comprehensive look at its telecommunications system rather than pursuing costly piece-meal repairs and replacements.

One of the many improvements being made this summer is a switch from the current analog phone system to Internet telephony. Also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Internet telephony makes use of the District’s data network, placing calls over the public Internet rather than utilizing the standard public switched telephone network (PSTN).

“With the telephone communications system now running on our network, we should not have the service interruptions we’ve experienced at some of the schools,” commented Joe Gramando, Director of Facilities, Operations, and Maintenance. “In addition, the benefits of utilizing VoIP include added security, increased efficiency, and a reduction in maintenance and operation costs.”

Added Security

• A phone in every classroom - The new system will ensure every classroom in the District has the ability to communicate with the main office, school nurse, and 911 emergency services.
• Emergency calls – If 911 is called from any phone, police will now know the exact building and room location of where the call was placed, and designated District personnel will be alerted as well. And 711 can be dialed to alert administrators of other emergencies.
• Enhanced PA system - The new system also complements the school’s public address system, allowing for announcements and notifications to be made from any location.  

Increased Efficiency

• Voicemail for every teacher - Parents can now dial a teacher’s voicemail number instead of having to leave a message at the office. Staff and teachers can access their voicemail messages from any phone, and receive messages in their email inboxes for timely correspondence.
• Automated Directories - You can look up the extension of staff in the District.
• Conference Calls - Staff and administrators and parents can now have a meeting without traveling or being in the same room.
• Automated Attendant - The Ed Center console can now connect callers to any school, and the specific menu options for each school will free up staff from having to transfer calls.

Monetary Savings

• Fewer phone lines - The new system drastically reduces the number of phone and fax lines needed, and eliminates numerous direct-dial lines throughout the District, along with their related monthly service costs/taxes/fees.
• Free Internal Calls - There is no charge for any calls made between District buildings.
• Local and Long Distance Calls - These calls are now a fraction of the current costs.
• Decreased administrative costs - The new system’s ease-of-use, and the ability to perform moves, additions, and changes in-house, will result in lower costs for maintenance and support from outside vendors.
• Less Paper - Staff can now receive phone messages and faxes on their computers, resulting in less paper being used.

NEW PHONE NUMBERS

Greeley: 238-7201

Bell: 238-7202

Seven Bridges: 238-7203

Grafflin: 238-7204

Roaring Brook: 238-7205

Westorchard: 238-7206

Special Education: 238-7207

Technology: 238-7208

Facilities: 238-7210