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Chula Vista: Glitch sends every Rancho del Rey student to Saturday School

Posted at 8:34 AM, Nov 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-29 16:08:12-05

CHULA VISTA (KGTV) -- Talk about setting the academics bar high.

An unexpected message sent to families of Rancho del Rey Middle School in Otay Ranch Wednesday night left about 2000 students trying to explain why they were required to attend Saturday School.

("Could you describe the ruckus, sir," was probably said.)

The school blitzed automated phone messages, texts, and emails alerting parents or guardians to have their child at school 8 a.m. Saturday morning for a half day of study.

"A teacher will come out to greet your student and escort them to a classroom, they are released at 12pm. Students should bring school work or reading materials for a 4 hour period of study," the message said.

The school, which broadcast the messages to every registered family at around 5 p.m., confirmed about five hours later that the barrage of alerts was an error.

"Earlier today a message about Saturday School was sent to all students. Please disregard the message, it was meant for a select group of students that needed to attend," said Rancho del Rey Middle School Assistant Principal Michael Govea.

Since the school offices were closed when the messages were sent, nobody was around to answer calls from anxious families. In the span of that radio silence, trepidation across the student body prompted people to search for answers on Facebook.

"A few of my son friends received a notice for Saturday school from rancho del Rey middle. These kids are good student with no absences. Any parent receive a message about Saturday school?," one parent posted on a Facebook community page.

"I hope they send another message out saying it was a mistake or they are going to have a huge drop off on Saturday morning for Saturday school lol," another parent wrote.

While the epic Breakfast Club summit won't take place, the school is requiring at least some students to be at campus this weekend.

"We will re-send the message Thursday night for those that need to attend. We truly apologize for any inconvenience this may caused you or your student," Govea said.