Published October 2, 2025
BY TULLAH McCOLL
After a successful trial period last school year in only two classrooms, the 5-Star Student program, an online sign-out system to track students’ whereabouts during class periods, was implemented Sept. 8 across campus, but has resulted in technological challenges so far.
“All the reasons for [having the system] are for safety minded type things,” CHS principal Libby Duethman says. “It’s not any different than signing out on a piece of paper when you leave the classroom, it’s just that we can collect the data.”
But with an entire system reliant on iPads and WiFi to track students who are out of class, small issues with logging in or poor internet connection have made it impossible to collect the accurate data the school desires.
“We had to introduce [the system] before we got the iPads and we gave the teachers an overview of it,” Duethman says. “[On Sept. 4] we handed out the iPads and went through how to sign on and get it set up.”
Many CHS students express the 5-Star system being unnecessary, but staff members feel it will be a useful device on campus once technological problems are resolved. photo by TULLAH McCOLL
Duethman explains that it was not ideal for the teachers to learn how to use the system before getting their hands on the actual device, but the first few weeks have given the school time to figure out the problems and get them fixed.
And while many teachers love the system in theory, some share that these weeks of technological difficulties have been slightly frustrating and an interruption to their class, mainly when students are confused with the process of logging in or times the iPad has been malfunctioning.
“From what I’ve seen so far, it seems more confusing than helpful,” sophomore Erin Banton says.
Many students feel the system is an invasion of their privacy or unnecessary to those who do not abuse bathroom policies, as now administrators will have access to see which students are spending excessive time outside of class.
“It’s kind of creepy that they can see how long we are in the bathroom,” shares senior Michelle Clay, “and it’s just kind of a hassle to use.”
But for the most part, students understand the safety benefits of the program, despite their confusion and frustration. Additionally, most teachers The Sandpiper spoke to feel it is important to know where students are and hold them accountable for staying in class, rather than strolling around the halls.
“It will be helpful when we are able to have a handle on who is where, which is always an issue in a school, such as in an emergency situation like a natural disaster,” social studies teacher Bill Schrier says. “Rolling out a new system is always tricky, but I do think it is a good development.”
Multiple teachers share that they have wanted a similar program set in place years back and are glad it is finally being done.
“[The system] is great,” says social studies teacher Nora Ward. “There becomes a problem when kids are out of class and nobody knows where they are. I’ve been here twenty-four years, and there have been too many situations where a kid was in trouble and nobody knew.”
And even despite recent difficulties, a few teachers have already seen positive results in their classrooms.
“It’s keeping students accountable, and it seems like I’m already having fewer students using the bathroom,” math teacher Jody Roberts shares. “I wouldn’t say I’m one hundred percent comfortable with using it yet, there’s just so much to know.”
As time goes on and 5-Star becomes more efficient, much of the CHS staff hopes that it will be an effective tool that everyone can benefit from.
