Students, faculty and parents have been learning how to use a new student information system this school year and it complicated the start of the year for some.
The district was forced to make a change as the Student Portal (Tyler SISK12) was bought out by Infinite Campus. Schools were required to change to Infinite Campus or another platform. Staff members were required to learn how to use a new system.
Infinite Campus continues to improve itself monthly to make it better for the users.
“I believe that once we all learn our roles and paths, we will be very happy with the change.” Director of Technology Brandi Mull said.
Teachers were provided with an initial video training as well as docs to help assist with the new program. Mull went directly to different groups and did face-to-face training as well as live video training with Infinite Campus reps.
“Infinite Campus is a great platform that, while missing some features, will be a great addition to our district and will allow the teachers and staff to have a much more fluid process while doing their jobs and working with students,” systems administrator Zach Zimmer said.
Staff members didn’t have a great first impression.
“At first I hated it, I didn’t know how to put grades in. Now that I’ve learned how to put in grades I like it a lot more, although I liked Tyler SIS better,” said health and P.E. teacher Johnny Eierman.
Teachers who use Canvas often, had a difficult time transferring grades from Canvas to Infinite Campus.
“Students that were new to the district did not transfer as the previous students did. Thankfully our tech department figured out how to fix it,” Biology I and Biology II teacher Mason Dunnaway said.
Teachers were able to make the transition with the help of the experts on campus.
“Our tech has been great, every PD day Brandi Mull and Zach Zimmer, the Systems Administrator, have worked very hard to make it such an easy transition,” FCS teacher Kimberly Pate said.
Classes in the high school were delayed by a week due to schedules not transferring well. Every schedule that was worked on after the batch schedule last year had to be redone.
“I do not believe it went as smoothly as everyone thought it would be. I am not sure Infinite Campus was fully prepared for the volume and struggles that would ensure,” said high school counselor Tyler Richardson. Richardson said, once he learned the new system, the changing of schedules was much easier.
“After getting out the kinks, it’s been great and I have everything positive to say about it!” said Nurse Cathy Chance.
Middle school secretary Andera Ferguson said, “I have no complaints, it definitely took some getting used to, however I love it now!”
