Students and staff at Norman High School are adjusting to expanded use of the Minga app this school year, utilizing the digital system to track hall passes, tardies, and minor behavioral violations.
Originally introduced as a hall pass tool, Minga has become a larger part of daily school life. Administrators say the changes are helping keep students accountable and classrooms focused.
“The benefits are already being seen with clear halls and more students in classes with distraction-free academic time,” said assistant principal Tara Trear. “Being able to hold students accountable for their punctuality and to only be in the hall when on a pass approved by a teacher keeps our students and staff safe as well as providing a stronger learning environment for students and teachers.”
Through Minga, students create digital passes for bathroom breaks, office visits, or trips to other classrooms. Teachers approve the passes, which log how long students are out and where they should be. Administrators can use the system to monitor patterns and locate students if needed.
This year, tardy tracking was added. Students who arrive late check in at one of several kiosks around the building, which automatically notifies their teacher and generates a hall pass. School officials say the process has already cut down on tardiness.
While administrators highlight improved accountability, some students and teachers see the program as restrictive. Others, however, say the digital system has streamlined communication and made managing passes, tardies, and violations more efficient.
For now, Norman High continues to expand its reliance on Minga, with the aim of keeping students in class, reducing distractions, and improving school safety.