Students will be using online passes starting 2nd semester by using Minga. These new online passes shouldn’t mean too much of a change for the students regarding leaving class.This enforcement is to make passes more easier and organized.
In late January officially all teachers will be assigning students online passes. When you need to leave you ask your teacher for a pass like you would regularly and they fill one out for you online. These passes depending on the need or location have timers and these timers can be controlled by teachers if needed. This is to ensure students go where it is needed and do not take too long. Asking Alexis Whedon if she was surprised or not by this new rule she says, “ I saw it coming when it was more noticeable people were skipping or taking too long but it still came out of nowhere and surprised me.” Many people are taken back and skeptical about these new passes. The purpose for them is to make less burden for teachers so they can make passes faster and not waste time.
A lot of people ask questions about why Minga is even used. Minga was identified last year. The district decided to use this program to help staff and teachers at Prairie know where students are. The main purpose of Minga is for the staff to be more intentional of where students go for falcon support. These assigned falcon supports can help students know where they are struggling and get needed attention where it is needed. Conversing with Mr.Fox I asked how the students not using Minga impacts the school? He answered saying,” If they are failing a class they don’t get to go and get help. If they need to make up for a test they don’t get to go and make that up.” There are many complications with Minga for sure but it comes with many benefits.
Minga so far has had many technical difficulties. Many people ask the question: what happens if the online passes don’t work out? And the reply is nobody knows for sure. Minga has already been a lot of work and hard for people to get used to. Overall the effect has shown to be better than before. There are also thoughts about the students filling out their own online passes. That is a possibility however the software is complicated and it depends how it works as a building. It also depends on students and the trust for them to be able to make their own passes. In general it’s what’s faster and more effective that matters.
Now when you ask to go to the bathroom you can leave after permission because your teacher has you covered online. It will also be easier to locate you if needed and is important for safety. The school will now have recorded records online on where you are going if that information is needed for any reason.
