The Kenora Catholic District School Board (KCDSB) has made significant progress in 2024 with the implementation of the School-Day platform. This initiative marks an important step toward creating cashless schools, enhancing convenience for families, and streamlining school operations.
Steady Progress in Enrollment
Families across KCDSB schools are embracing School-Day, with impressive adoption rates at many locations:
• École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys: 95.09%
• St. John Paul II School: 81.53%
• St. John School: 76.81%
• St. Louis Living Arts School: 84.92%
• St. Thomas Aquinas High School: 49.83%
The rollout of School-Day at St. Thomas Aquinas High School happened later than at the elementary schools, contributing to its lower enrollment rate. Focused efforts are underway to support families at St. Thomas Aquinas in transitioning to the platform and increasing adoption rates.
“The high adoption rates at many of our schools are a testament to the dedication of both families and staff in embracing this new system,” said Jon Ranger, Manager of Finance. “It shows that we’re making steady progress toward modernizing school payments and creating a more efficient process for everyone.”
Key Benefits of Going Cashless
Transitioning away from cash and cheque payments has brought significant advantages:
• Administrative Efficiency: Automated record-keeping reduces time and errors.
• Enhanced Security: Digital payments eliminate risks associated with handling cash.
• Convenience for Families: Parents can make payments online anytime.
• Sustainability: Reducing paper transactions supports KCDSB’s environmental goals.
From September 1 to December 5, 2024, School-Day processed an impressive $83,739.65 in transactions, underscoring its growing role in school operations.
Streamlining School Activities
Beyond payments, School-Day has simplified event registrations, extracurricular fee collections, and forms and waivers. These enhancements allow staff to focus on supporting students and enriching educational experiences.
Resources to Support Families
To help families transition to School-Day, KCDSB has created a Register for School-Day Video and a dedicated resource site with frequently asked questions and answers. These tools guide families through the registration process and offer additional support to ensure a smooth experience. Families can also access one-on-one support, available to anyone who needs extra assistance navigating the platform.
Families can access the resources here:
[School-Day Resource Page].
Next Steps
While progress has been commendable, KCDSB aims to build on this momentum:
• Boosting Enrollment: Focused efforts to enroll more families, especially at larger schools like St. Thomas Aquinas.
• Training and Support: Providing school-based clinics, one-on-one support, and additional resources for families new to the platform.
• Exploring New Features: Leveraging additional functionalities to improve the user experience.
A Collaborative Approach
The School-Day platform exemplifies KCDSB’s commitment to innovation and efficiency. Jon Ranger, Manager of Finance, acknowledged the collective effort of staff and families in making this transition possible.
“This implementation hasn’t always been easy, and we recognize that this is a significant change in process for staff and families in learning this new software,” said Jon.
“Implementing a significant system like cashless schools is no small task, and challenges are inevitable along the way,” said Jon. “I’m incredibly proud of our KCDSB team for their dedication to learning and supporting this new process, and I commend our families for their adaptability and perseverance as they embraced the system. Together, we’re building a safer, more efficient, and transparent process that benefits everyone in our school communities. This is just the beginning, and we’re committed to refining and improving the experience as we continue forward.”
KCDSB recognizes the dedication and patience shown by all involved and remains committed to enhancing the School-Day experience to better meet the needs of families and staff. Through ongoing collaboration, the board is poised to achieve full adoption and further modernize its operations.