That’s what sticks with me today because I know there are still schools—especially in rural areas like mine—that face the same communication challenges. The same dead zones. The same delays. The same risk of being just a few seconds too late.

That’s why I believe so strongly in communication solutions like nSide|Boost™. It’s not just about better cell signal—it’s about making sure that when a decision needs to be made now, nothing is standing in the way of getting that message out. It’s about
Why Cell Signal Shouldn’t Be Optional in Schools I grew up in rural Cullman, Alabama. If you’re from around there, you know it’s a beautiful place—vast stretches of farmland surrounded by Smith Lake, tight-knit communities, and small-town schools where everyone knows everyone. But if you’re really from there, you also know one thing for sure: cell service isn’t exactly our strong suit.

My school was in the middle of one of those infamous dead zones. If you needed to make a call, you had to walk outside, stand in a very specific spot, and hope the wind didn’t shift. And that was on a good day.

Now, that might sound like a small inconvenience—until it’s not.
giving schools the power to respond faster, clearer, and safer—especially when the power is out and you're relying on whatever connection you can get. Our area was known for severe weather, and, unfortunately, tornado warnings were just part of life. I remember one specific day when I was in 2nd grade. A storm was moving in, and we realized—maybe a little too late—just how serious it was. The power was already out (per usual with any storm in our area), which meant there was no intercom system, no emergency alert—just verbal communication and maybe a text message if it could even go through. Our school’s basement didn’t have internal access. Meaning, that to get there, we had to go outside, walk down the hill, and around the side of the building to access it.

As we rushed out—teachers and students all trying to get to safety—the wind picked up fast. I’ll never forget the moment the metal roof of the walkway peeled off and flew right past us. We were extremely lucky as it narrowly missed my classmates and me. I still remember to this day, the exact sound of it ripping away, and the immense fear we felt.
"I’ll never forget the moment the metal roof of the walkway peeled off and flew right past us." We were too young to understand that we were in danger because of a possible communication delay. At that age, we just trusted the adults to know what to do and when to do it. They did their best, but the tools they had—well, they just weren’t enough in that moment.

Now that I work in school safety, I find myself going back to that moment more often than I expected. I think about how quickly everything unfolded, how close we were to harm, and how different it might’ve looked if there had been stronger communication tools in place.

Back then, we didn't question things—we were just kids. But now, I can’t help but question how much better protected we all could have been with the right solution in place. Not because our teachers or staff didn’t care—they absolutely did—but because they simply didn’t have the tools they needed to act faster and more confidently in an emergency.
That’s what sticks with me today because I know there are still schools—especially in rural areas like mine—that face the same communication challenges. The same dead zones. The same delays. The same risk of being just a few seconds too late.

That’s why I believe so strongly in communication solutions like nSide|Boost™. It’s not just about better cell signal—it’s about making sure that when a decision needs to be made now, nothing is standing in the way of getting that message out. It’s about giving schools the power to respond faster, clearer, and safer—especially when the power is out and you're relying on whatever connection you can get.
Growing Up in a Dead Zone:  If your school is anything like mine—rural, remote, or just built tough—visit the nSide|Boost™ page to see how it can make a real difference. Your staff and students deserve strong, reliable communication. Let’s make sure they have it. Experience the Difference Today