With the possibility of Hurricane Sandy hitting Rhode Island soon — and the potential for school closings — parents (and students) will be looking for the quickest and easiest way to know whether their school is affected.

The Rhode Island Broadcasting Association has the answer with its text alert web page, allowing computer and mobile phone users to sign up for text message and email alerts.

Rhode Island school districts including the Coventry School Department and private schools are included in the RIBA list.

To sign up, users are required to provide a name and ZIP code, as well as a phone number or email address.

The system will then send a test email or text message, and in the case of text messages, include a code to enter to confirm sign-up.