Legal Info/Policies

Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting the personal information of our users. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you use our services.

1. Information We Collect
   1. Information You Provide

      We collect information when users sign up, subscribe, or interact with our platform, including:

      • Name, email address, and phone number
      • School or institution name
      • User role (e.g., administrator, teacher, parent, student, etc.)
      • Emergency contact details
   2. Information Collected Automatically

      When using SchoolENS, we may automatically collect:

      • Device information (e.g., IP address, browser type, operating system)
      • Usage data (e.g., pages visited, time spent on site, login/logout times, message delivery history)
      • Location data (e.g., city, state, country), if enabled
   3. Information from Third Parties

      We may integrate with third-party systems (such as Student Information Systems) to sync contact lists and improve communication accuracy.

2. How We Use Your Information

   We use your data to provide, maintain, and improve our services, including:

   • Send emergency notifications via SMS, email, or other channels
   • Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
   • Improve our platform's functionality and security
   • Generate anonymized reports and analytics for schools
   • Comply with legal obligations and school policies

   We do not sell, rent, or share personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

3. FERPA Compliance

   SchoolENS complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Under FERPA, SchoolENS adheres to the following principles:

   • Limited Data Collection: We only collect and use student-related information necessary for emergency communication and school safety.
   • School Control: Schools retain full ownership and control over student data. SchoolENS acts as a service provider (a "School Official" under FERPA) and does not use student data for any purpose beyond providing our services.
   • Parental & Student Rights: Schools using SchoolENS must comply with FERPA regulations regarding access to student records. If a parent, guardian, or eligible student (18+ years old) requests access, correction, or deletion of their data, the request must be directed to the school, and we will assist in fulfilling those requests as required by law.
   • Data Security & Confidentiality: SchoolENS implements strict security measures to ensure the protection of student records. We do not disclose personally identifiable information (PII) except as authorized by the school or required by law.
   • Third-Party Restrictions: Any third-party service providers used for SMS or email delivery must comply with FERPA and are contractually bound to maintain the confidentiality of student data.

   If you have questions about FERPA compliance or our data privacy practices, please contact us at compliance@schoolens.com

4. How We Protect Your Information

   We implement industry-standard security measures, including:

   • Data Encryption - All data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
   • Role-Based Access Control - Only authorized personnel can access sensitive data.
   • Secure Storage - Contact details and messages are stored in secure cloud environments.
   • Regular Security Audits - Our system undergoes frequent security testing.
5. Data Retention & Deletion

   We retain user data for as long as necessary to provide our services. Schools may request data deletion at any time by contacting us. Upon request:

   • Personal data will be permanently deleted within 30 days.
   • Message logs may be anonymized for analytics purposes.

   For student records covered under FERPA, schools may request full deletion of student data at any time.

6. Sharing & Third-Party Services

   We may share data only when necessary with:

   • School Administrators - To manage contact lists and alerts.
   • Service Providers - For SMS and email delivery (e.g., T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, etc.), ensuring FERPA compliance.
   • Legal & Compliance Authorities - When required by law, such as FERPA compliance.

   We do not share data with advertisers or marketing firms.

7. Your Rights & Choices

   Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

   • Access & Review Data - Request a copy of the personal data we store.
   • Correct & Update Information - Modify incorrect or outdated details.
   • Opt-Out of Communications - Unsubscribe from SMS or email notifications.
   • Request Data Deletion - Ask us to erase your data, subject to legal requirements.

   To exercise these rights, contact us at compliance@schoolens.com.

   For FERPA-related requests, schools must submit an official request, and we will assist in compliance.

8. Compliance with Regulations

   We comply with the following data protection laws:

   • FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
   • GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation
   • CCPA - California Consumer Privacy Act
   • COPPA - Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
9. Changes to This Policy

   We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify users of any changes via email or by posting a notice on our website. Continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

10. Contact Us

    If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

    Email: compliance@schoolens.com

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the School Emergency Notification System (SchoolENS). By using our services, you agree to comply with these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our platform.

1. Definitions
   • “SchoolENS,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refers to the provider of the School Emergency Notification System.
   • “User,” “you,” or “your” refers to school administrators, staff, parents, and any other authorized individuals using the platform.
   • “Services” refers to the emergency communication and notification system provided by SchoolENS.
   • “Subscribers” refers to individuals who receive alerts from the system (e.g., parents, students, staff).
2. Eligibility & Account Registration
   1. You must be an authorized representative of a school or institution to create an account.
   2. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.
   3. Any use of the platform must comply with school policies and applicable laws, including FERPA and other data privacy regulations.
   4. Unauthorized access, including attempts to interfere with the system or other users, is strictly prohibited.
3. Acceptable Use Policy

   When using SchoolENS, you agree to:

   • Use the platform solely for emergency notifications and school-related communications.
   • Ensure that contact lists are accurate and up to date.
   • Respect privacy and security guidelines when managing subscriber information.

   You may NOT:

   • Use SchoolENS to send spam, promotional content, or non-school-related messages.
   • Misuse the system to send false alarms or misleading information.
   • Attempt to disrupt, hack, or exploit system vulnerabilities.
   • Share account credentials or grant unauthorized users access to the system.

   Violations may result in account suspension or termination.

4. Messaging & Notifications
   1. Message Delivery: SchoolENS sends alerts/notifications via SMS. We strive for instant delivery but cannot guarantee 100% delivery success due to carrier restrictions, recipient settings, or other external factors.
   2. Opt-Out Options: Subscribers can opt out of SMS and email notifications at any time. However, schools must comply with legal requirements regarding emergency communications.
   3. Message Content Responsibility: The school or administrator is responsible for the accuracy, appropriateness, and legality of all messages sent through SchoolENS.
5. Data Privacy & Security
   1. FERPA Compliance: SchoolENS does not store or use student records beyond what is necessary for communication purposes. Schools maintain control of student-related data.
   2. Data Security: We implement industry-standard encryption and security measures to protect user data. However, you acknowledge that no system is entirely immune to security risks.
   3. Third-Party Services: We may use third-party providers (e.g., SMS gateways) to deliver notifications. These services comply with privacy regulations and are contractually bound to protect user data.

   For more details, see our Privacy Policy.

6. Fees & Payments
   1. SchoolENS offers tiered subscription plans based on school size. Pricing details are available on our Plans & Pricing page.
   2. Payments are billed monthly or annually as agreed upon during sign-up.
   3. Schools may upgrade or downgrade plans at any time. However, refunds are not available for partial months of service.
   4. Failure to pay on time may result in account suspension.
7. Service Availability & Support
   1. Uptime Commitment: While we aim for 99.9% uptime, we do not guarantee uninterrupted service due to maintenance, network issues, or other unforeseen circumstances.
   2. Technical Support: Schools can contact support via email or phone for assistance. Response times vary based on the support tier included in your plan.
   3. Modifications & Updates: We reserve the right to update, modify, or discontinue any feature without prior notice.
8. Limitation of Liability
   1. SchoolENS is not responsible for missed notifications due to external factors such as mobile carrier failures, incorrect contact details, or recipient opt-outs.
   2. SchoolENS does not assume liability for any direct, indirect, or incidental damages resulting from the use or inability to use our services.
   3. In no event shall SchoolENS' total liability exceed the total amount paid by the school in the past 12 months.
9. Termination & Suspension
   1. Schools may cancel their subscription at any time by contacting support.
   2. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or misuse the platform.
   3. If your account is terminated due to a breach of terms, refunds will not be issued.
10. Compliance & Legal Requirements
    1. Schools are responsible for ensuring compliance with FERPA, GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable regulations when using SchoolENS.
    2. SchoolENS will cooperate with legal authorities when required by law.
11. Changes to These Terms

    We may update these Terms periodically. Users will be notified of major changes via email or system alerts. Continued use of SchoolENS after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. Contact Us

    If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

    Email: compliance@schoolens.com