School significantly improves student punctuality with synchronized time.
Overview
Faribault Middle School is located in southeastern Minnesota and is the educational home to approximately 900 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Its small school environment is contrasted with its comprehensive programming opportunities, including athletics, arts and academic programs, as well as courses in science, industrial technology, computer technology, ecology and more.
Challenge
The clock system at Faribault Middle School was not synchronized, which meant that clocks throughout the building displayed different times and often did not match up with the schedule of the school’s bells. Students were often late to class, and the school was challenged with enforcing its tardy policy because there was no synchronized, standard way to measure the time.
Solution
Faribault Middle School chose an American Time SiteSync IQ wireless clock system. With SiteSync IQ, the school has a synchronized timekeeping solution that can wirelessly synchronize and control any device with a signal circuit. Future clocks can easily be added and managed by the SiteSync IQ controller to ensure that they display the same, accurate time.
The school also purchased 11 double dial digital clocks for the hallways, which hang from the ceiling and allow students walking from either direction to see the accurate, official time. And during daylight saving time twice per year, the clocks automatically update, so there is no need for maintenance staff to make adjustments. The clocks also self-correct after power outages.
Results
The clocks have made a significant impact on students’ punctuality. The students have four minutes between classes to gather their books and get to class. During this time, the digital clocks in the hallways change from displaying the time to a countdown informing students of when they are expected to be in their rooms. When two minutes remain to the final bell tone, music is initiated by the SiteSync IQ system controller. The music has been requested by students or teachers – and approved by the school – begins to play through the intercom system.
Now, rather than students regularly being late to class, the school reports that the hallways are often empty even when there are 30 seconds left. The school is also able to consistently and fairly implement its tardy policy.
“Before the American Time system, students claimed that they didn’t hear the bell and that’s why they were late for class,” said Angi McAndrews, assistant principal at Faribault Middle School. “Now we have a visual countdown and an audible bell. We knew there had to be a better way, and there was. The clocks are the foundation of what makes the tardy policy work.”
Just as important, the system has been very easy for Faribault Middle School to manage. “This system is so much better compared to what we had before,” said Brian Klier, Network Manager, Faribault Middle School. “I can reprogram the schedule from anywhere in the district. It’s very easy to use and intuitive.”