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Post by Hillary on Jul 1, 2015 15:23:49 GMT
The number system is probably easiest for the kids church workers to use (don't have to worry about batteries, losing pagers, etc.) but a pager is probably better for the overall experience of the parent.
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Post by lauren on Jul 1, 2015 17:48:19 GMT
From the discussion, it sounds like the physical pager is the best option if we can afford it.
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Post by Corissa on Jul 1, 2015 19:07:53 GMT
Personally, I don't like pagers because it is one more thing I have to carry. I don't have a bag or purse usually, and depending on the size of the pager it is unlikely to fit in my pocket. Also, sometimes I drop off Nate but Mike picks him up. That would require the extra coordination of a pager handoff. I know some other parents *cough Amy cough* have said this is too much of a pain to manage.
I don't like numbers in a screen because I close my eyes during worship, and I'm not always in the sanctuary.
I don't like phones because I don't always notice the vibration, or forget to mute.
While I do think that how parents feel should be a big consideration, ultimately I think we have to defer to whoever is going to have to maintain & implement the system, & train volunteers & enforce the policies. I believe right now that person is Sheila?
Being a Kids Church leader is a very tough job, and I want them to feel empowered to make the decisions that, ultimately, they must manage. Also, realistically, this decision doesn't have to be made by August.
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Post by Nathan Ovitt on Jul 2, 2015 0:16:04 GMT
In terms of this not needing to be done by August:
That really depends. I imagine that a number box or boxes need to be on display in an area that is universally visible<-- generally meaning as close to front center as possible. This is something that should be planned for in a build and not retrofitted if at all possible. We are looking at creating an aesthetically impactful stage space and building this into it may not be an easy retrofit or even an easy task included in the initial design.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 26 
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Post by dave on Jul 2, 2015 0:47:23 GMT
So If I understand your comments, Corissa--you don't like anything  All of the approaches have drawbacks. I think I like the pagers best, but I would defer to the people/leaders who have to use the system. |
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Post by Corissa on Jul 2, 2015 0:51:33 GMT
So If I understand your comments, Corissa--you don't like anything That is right, Dave. As a parent, I think all the systems are lousy in one way or another. As the former Kids Church Admin, I think displaying a number on the projection screen is the least hassle. |
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Post by Hillary on Jul 2, 2015 3:34:55 GMT
I did invite Sheila to the forum so hopefully she can give her opinion soon. |
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Post by Corissa on Jul 2, 2015 13:48:12 GMT
The Facebook question I posted got these results. Of the 14 people who answered:
7 said they use a display specifically for nursery numbers (like what Hillary had suggested)
5 said they post a number on the projection screen (like what we do now)
1 said they use pagers
1 said they text parents directly
No one answered by questions about why they use what they use.
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Post by sheilaurban on Jul 3, 2015 19:19:40 GMT
It sounds like the restaurant-style pagers are high maintenance. Someone will have to see that they're cleaned and charged, that they're properly distributed and collected, and that they're all working. This sounds like a lot of work for volunteers.
I think the current system is okay unless it's burdensome for the projection people. Then we should go to the separate display Hillary mentioned.
I also noticed that the standard CCB setup has texting for Sunday school included. Still, we'd need to have parents signing in at computer stations or iPads to elect that. Maybe we can investigate that more or try that at a later date. The CCB website doesn't have much information readily available.
For me, more important than the paging system is the experience at the Sunday school. We need to organize and streamline the process when visitors come. Maybe separating the check-in from the elementary classroom would help.
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Post by jeffmjones on Jul 7, 2015 23:07:40 GMT
I didn't include a paging system in the original proposal, however it is something we have talked about and would like to have. I mentioned this to Jeff on Saturday and he said he would look in to it. Corissa, does the check-in software we talked about have any paging capabilities? We had talked about getting an iPad mini for each room to do check in on. Not sure if there's something we could do with an iPad that would work for paging too. I'm thinking that the paging systems you looked at Nathan would have one main pager that everyone would need access to? Or would there be a way to page from each individual room? iPad Minis are really cool, but they're also expensive and very mobile, as in can easily walk out of the building. It would be cheaper to buy a few $220 laptops that can be secured with locks to keep them from walking.
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