The days of searching for a computer or clicking through a series of web pages just to find grades or a sports schedule are over in the Lenape Regional High School District.
The district recently released a new mobile app for students, staff and parents. The LRHSD Mobile App can be downloaded for free at the iTunes App Store or on Google Play.
John Donaldson, director of television services for the district, played a big role in the development of the app. Donaldson said the district recognized how students and parents are on their mobile devices more than ever and were looking for ways to access information easier and faster.
“With students and parents always on the go, the development of a mobile app was the next logical step in being able to provide them with the information that they need at anytime, from anywhere,” Donaldson said.
The app brings many of the features found on the district website to users’ phones. Everything from news updates, social media posts and athletic schedules were included.
Donaldson said one of the most important features is the ability to view individual information such as grades.
“One of the most powerful features of the LRHSD App is the ability for students and parents to access mobile-friendly views of grades, assignments and cafeteria balances,” he said.
The app also allows the user to customize what they see on their phone. Users can select for which high schools they would like to see news.
The school district began the process in February 2014. Focus groups consisting of parents, students and staff were put together. The focus groups helped give the development team ideas on what to put in the app.
“The response from the student, teacher and parent focus groups was enthusiastic and full of great ideas,” Donaldson said.
Donaldson said the district also spoke with several app development companies and other school districts that implemented similar apps. The district began developing the app in the summer of 2014 and has spent most of the 2014–15 school year perfecting it ahead of the release. Recently, select members of the school community got the chance to test the app ahead of the release. The district used the feedback from beta testing to make further adjustments.
“Over recent months, a small group of students, parents and staff have been beta testing the app in advance of the public release,” Donaldson said.
Donaldson said the district has received positive feedback from the school community. In the first week of its release, the app received more than 3,300 downloads.
Donaldson said the app will continue to develop over time, and welcomed feedback and suggestions from the school community.
“We anticipate that as staff, students and parents become more familiar with the app that they will provide us with new and innovative ways to make the already powerful app even better in the future,” he said.
The district has created a tutorial video and webpage to guide users through the app. The video and other information about the app can be found at www.lrhsd.org/App.
