Learn How Haven Elementary Benefits From Digital Sign-in
We sat down with Principal Anne Dolid and Stephanie Griffin, Director of Instructional Technology, at Haven Elementary School in Piedmont Unified School District, CA to discuss how they use Envoy.
Principal Dolid, how would you describe Envoy to other schools?
Envoy is a super cool new digital sign-in system. It sends you emails when your guests arrive, and tracks visitors on campus. And it looks great too.
What inspired you to look for a digital sign-in system?
I was visiting Oakland Unified for my own children and noticed they used a digital sign-in system. It seemed really important to track who’s on campus — without using an intrusive system — that was still welcoming.
What do you use Envoy for?
For evacuations! Although I use Infinite campus to keep track of students, I don’t have list of visitors in case of emergencies — like “the big one.” Now I can use Envoy to know who I need to account for during an emergency. That’s comforting for me, and for my visitors as well.
I also use Envoy to collect data on the traffic — the sheer number of volunteers that come in and out of the office.
I can have more data-driven conversations with parents. If a parent said, “this teacher doesn’t have volunteer opportunities,” I can say.. look at all the parents that have volunteered.
Third, the badges make it easier for me to welcome every parent by name — and ensure they feel part of the community — which is great, we have a lot of parent involvement.
How has your staff reacted to it?
It makes my receptionist’s job easier, now she doesn’t have to get up every minute to give badges to visitors.
Stephanie, anything to add from a technology perspective?
I like that Envoy’s cloud based, so that if even if there was a lock down, I can see who’s signed-in. Also it’s on an iPad, so if someone can’t reach it, we can hand it to them. If we had a kiosk, we couldn’t move it around.
That’s great. Stephanie: how has the district reacted?
Other schools in the district have asked for it since Principal Dolid starting using it. Now we’re exploring deploying district-wide.
Thanks Principal Dolid and Stephanie! We appreciate your time!
