Efficiency has arrived for Eaton High School (EHS) students. Typically, for high school students wanting to leave class for the bathroom, a visit to the office, or even a trip to the counseling office, they’ve been expected to sign out of the classroom using pen and paper. This un-trackable and often ignored process has been replaced with a much more efficient and easier to use system.
The process is now being test run in several classrooms throughout EHS. It’s a system that waves goodbye to the former pen and paper sign out and morphs into a single computer that students use to leave the classroom. The student signs out on the Infinite Campus kiosk using their lunch number and subsequently chooses their destination. The hall pass is then created and the student is timed during his/her bathroom break by the system..
There are some preliminary hurdles to the process, though, EHS principal, Andy Polland said, “Currently, there are five teachers using the system and five kiosks, so the biggest hurdle is going to be able to get the kiosks to everyone in the school.” Currently, the kiosk will sign out of the system on its own after the computer turns off, but this problem will be an easy remedy for administrators.
The system has only been implemented for a short period of time, but the positives of the system are already numerous. Polland added, “Having another layer of security for teachers and students and another way to make sure kids are using the bathroom in a timely manner and getting back to class is beneficial.” Polland emphasized that the new system was not implemented to get students in trouble but rather encourage student accountability and efficiency.
Some of the teachers that have piloted the system include EHS math teacher Derek Weigle and EHS English teacher Amy Ross. “I really think it is efficient and can be seen by everyone who wants to see it, it is now very trackable, and I think it will deter some of the students who leave class as an avoidance tactic knowing that they are being timed and tracked,” said Ross.
The system provides an exciting model to promote student accountability and streamline a process that’s been begging to be made more efficient. The school will switch to the online system in order to streamline the process and keep tabs on students who miss class for the bathroom.
Weigle said, “There are plenty of students not up to no good, and it is very rare someone will actually get in trouble because of the system. For the most part it is a gentle reminder for students to go to the bathroom and come back.”
Students have also been impressed with the efficiency of the system. Taylor Ross (25) said, “I think the system has the potential to make a positive impact on our school, but right now, it’s slightly annoying when the teacher has to unlock the computer before we can leave the room.”
The system still needs some work, and the system will need to be fully released school-wide, but the immediate response to the release of the system is a positive one.
