The new school year will be here before we know it. What better way to prepare than to make sure your teachers have the right communication tools to teach safely and efficiently?
Two-way radios help transition kids from the summer schedule into the new school year. Teachers and administrators can use radio to communicate with one another about where kids are in real-time. For example, radios can help make sure students get on the right bus, or those who are walking know where they are going.
Two-way radios are an expensive investment so school systems should make sure they are getting the most out of this valuable technology. Accessories like batteries, speaker microphones/PTT, and surveillance kits can all help teachers succeed in leading a safe and effective learning year.
Check out this article to determine which of these accessories you need to update for the year.
Two-Way Radio Batteries
School days for teachers are longer than the expected 8 hours in class. Teacherβs radios need to last from the studentβs arrival at dropoff to the studentβs departure during pickup and bus times.
Batteries for teacherβs two-way radios need to last 8-10 hours. This is possible with new and updated batteries. Additionally, the batteries purchased for school radios need to be IP67-rated.
These specifications will help the radios stay powered in the elements. Teachers may have to use their radio in inclement weather or in more challenging environments from fire drills to field trips.
Before the new school year, administrators should check that their teacherβs radio batteries are up to date and can last long operating hours.
Speaker Microphones
Speaker microphones and push-to-talk (PTT) are great accessories for teachers and school administrators. This technology allows for hands-free and quick communications. Being a teacher and school administrator means your day will be filled with unpredictable events.
Sometimes it is as simple as needing your hands to work efficiently, but a teacher needs your response immediately. Or you are breaking up a fight between students and communicating help from other teachers/admin at the same time.
Speaker microphones allow you to hear emergency communications from other faculty members. This immediate connection enables staff to respond to any emergency safely and efficiently.
Surveillance Kits
The next two-way radio beneficial accessory to all teachers, staff, and administrators are surveillance kits. This accessory is useful because it also enables hands-free communications. However, unlike speaker microphones, communications are private with surveillance kits.
Privacy is a benefit for teachers because it can reduce panic among students during an emergency. It also helps keep studentsβ or teachersβ information private if discussed.
With surveillance kits, it is also easier to hear transmissions. Classroom and school hallways can be very loud. Surveillance kits come with an in-ear earpiece. This is also useful in dangerous situations like school shootings when teachers need real-time communication while staying quiet or silent.
Surveillance kits are a powerful accessory for teachers to use with their two-way radios to help keep themselves and their students safe and learning efficiently.
One Last Thing...
School systems are an unpredictable environment where communication remains the best way to keep students organized, safe, and successful. Two-way radios and compatible accessories are the best way to maintain real-time, clear, and consistent connections between staff.
We hope this article provides you with the necessary information about what accessories will work best for your staff to ensure a great school year.