Starting next semester, mid-class bathroom breaks and library visits will all be prefaced with a Minga hall pass. Meant to streamline information on how students spend time outside the classroom, this policy comes in an increased effort to utilize Minga on campus.
“It’s a way of keeping track of the time so that teachers can still stay focused on teaching,” said Principal Tracy Runeare.
Instead of a whiteboard log or physical hall passes, each teacher will have a designated hall pass kiosk in their classroom. Students will sign out and in by typing their ID numbers into Minga, which tracks the duration for which students are out of the room.
Students may select options such as a restroom or water fountain break when checking out of the classroom. Teachers can also send students to other locations, such as the library, wellness center or tutorial center.
So far, Minga has also been used for digital student IDs, dance ticket verification, ACT check-in as well as tracking spirit event participation with points.
Currently, restroom breaks are allotted five minutes, though Runeare said this may be adjusted based on student feedback.
“For some, five minutes is plenty of time, and for others, it’s too short,” Runeare said. “We’re looking for the sweet spot right now.”
“If a student misses an excessive amount of class time, it’s a problem,” history teacher Candida Diaz said. “With this system, we can help address these problems sooner.”
Runeare clarified that Minga records whether a student’s break goes overtime, but does not punish them.
“It’s not something that we’re following up with,” Runeare said. “We’re still learning, and sometimes students forget to check themselves back in.”
The Minga hall pass system was optional for teachers this fall, but will be required come January. For some students and teachers already using the platform, feedback has been mixed.
“I think it makes sure students aren’t misusing their break time,” sophomore Megan Vo said. “Especially if there’s a sub, it helps them keep everything under control.”
But many students find the new policy to be unnecessary.
“They should remove it because it doesn’t do anything,” junior Eli Ly said. “A lot of people just ignore the timer anyways.”
“It’s hard to remember to log back in,” sophomore Lia Amirbekian said. “I got in trouble, because [the teacher] thought I was in the bathroom for half an hour.
Minga integration has involved trial, adaptation and modification — and hall passes now join the mix.
“We’re trying one thing at a time,” Runeare said. “If the system isn’t user-friendly for teachers, we might not move forward with it.”
