While we're on the topic of the power of sharing information, we want to recognize the contribution of Doug Parker, who died of pancreatic cancer this week at the age of 49 (see story, Page 58).

After he had trouble getting through to Lisbon Elementary School in the wake of one of the sniper attacks that terrorized the region in 2002, Parker started eSchoolNewsletter, an e-mail vehicle the county school system now uses to give parents urgent bulletins and routine information.

Schools outside Howard County have begun to use it as well.

His widow said that, before his death, the stay-at-home dad and Web-site developer was working on the next phase of parent communication, eCellAlert, which will enable parents to receive emergency notifications directly to their cell phones for a nominal monthly fee.

Parker saw an opportunity to empower parents and the schools and made it happen.

That's the kind of ingenuity and determination that will make fine schools better, an example school system employees and parents alike would do well to follow.

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