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Red Oak School District’s Journey Toward Smarter Dismissals and Stronger Emergency Preparedness
Inman Elementary School, part of the Red Oak School District in Iowa, faced growing challenges in student dismissal and safety logistics. Principal Jane Chaillie spent three years navigating an outdated system that simply couldn’t keep up.
Managing dismissal for two locations—an elementary school and a preschool across town—required precision and reliable communication. Yet, the old process was entirely manual. Principal Chaillie even created car tags herself to place in windshields.
This system demanded constant oversight, created stress, and exposed students to potential safety risks during dismissal every single day. With 500 students to release daily, Principal Chaillie knew something had to change. She needed a solution that was faster, smarter, and safer.
As new statewide safety mandates emerged, so did the urgency to upgrade. In 2023, she found the answer in Pikmykid. The platform promised a safer, tech-driven way to manage dismissal and emergency protocols—so she made the switch.
A Dismissal Process in Need of a Makeover
Before Pikmykid, the dismissal process was chaotic and inefficient. It relied on paper, walkie-talkies, and best guesses. Parents phoned in last-minute changes, staff scrambled to coordinate, and children sometimes waited outside unsupervised.
These gaps created anxiety for everyone—parents, teachers, and especially Principal Chaillie. There were too many moving parts, and not enough visibility.
“I personally made car tags that I put in all the cars’ windows,” she shared. “It wasn’t sustainable.”
The manual process was frustrating, but worse, it was unsafe. Lines of students stood outside, exposed and waiting for pickup in uncertain conditions.
Enter Pikmykid: A Smarter, Safer Way
In 2023, Inman Elementary adopted Pikmykid’s Dismissal Management System. This one change immediately transformed how the school released students each day.
The new system digitized dismissal. Staff no longer had to rely on paper rosters or last-minute phone calls.
Dismissal became faster, more orderly, and significantly safer. It now takes about ten minutes to release all 500 students.
Parents use the Pikmykid app to announce arrival, make changes, and communicate updates in real-time. No more calling the office in a panic.
“I wish I could tell you how much time this saves my secretaries,” Principal Chaillie added.
Building on the Platform for Emergency Preparedness
After seeing results in dismissal efficiency, Inman Elementary expanded its use of Pikmykid. The next step: emergency preparedness.
New state safety requirements meant schools had to rethink how they prepare for drills and real incidents.
Pikmykid’s Emergency Alert System and Reunification Tool provided exactly what the school needed.
The Emergency Alert System lets staff notify first responders, parents, and administration with a single tap. Whether it’s a drill or a real emergency, everyone is instantly informed.
The Reunification Tool ensures every student is accounted for during emergencies. It digitally tracks each child, reducing stress and confusion.
Principal Chaillie sees this as a game-changer:
“The drill is important — that you know to get out — but the real essence is knowing everybody is accounted for.”
Before, she couldn’t be sure all students were safely out. Now, she knows without question.
“I trust my teachers, but I didn’t ever have that total satisfaction of knowing with confidence and certainty.”
Daily Visibility with Digital Hall Passes
To improve student oversight throughout the day, Inman Elementary implemented Pikmykid’s Digital Hall Pass system.
This tool lets teachers track where students are—whether they’re visiting the nurse, going to the restroom, or heading to the office.
No more wondering who’s in the hallway or missing from class.
“We use it on a daily basis,” Principal Chaillie said.
The system improves accountability and cuts down on unnecessary hallway traffic.
It’s a simple tool with big impact—empowering staff to focus more on teaching and less on managing movement.
District-Wide Results That Speak for Themselves
Since adopting Pikmykid, Inman Elementary has seen marked improvements in efficiency, communication, and safety.
Dismissals are faster, taking only ten minutes from start to finish.
Staff workloads have dropped, and the front office is no longer flooded with pickup calls.
Emergency preparedness is stronger, with clear communication and faster responses during drills or incidents.
The entire student body is safer, more accounted for, and better managed throughout the day.
Red Oak Junior and Senior High Schools took notice. They adopted Pikmykid as well, seeing the benefits firsthand.
Now, the entire Red Oak School District benefits from a unified, tech-powered safety and dismissal system.
Why Pikmykid Works So Well for Schools
Pikmykid’s strength lies in its flexibility and scalability. Inman Elementary started with Dismissal Management. As their needs evolved, they added more tools.
Each feature builds on the next, supporting schools as they grow and policies change. From elementary to high school, Pikmykid adapts to different age groups and logistical challenges.
The platform also stands out for its customer service. Principal Chaillie praised their support team:
“Everybody with you guys has championed us… We haven’t ever gotten that with anyone else.”
Many vendors overpromise and underdeliver. Not Pikmykid. Their support, training, and tools consistently meet expectations.
Setting the Standard for Safe, Efficient Schools
Inman Elementary’s success with Pikmykid is more than a single-school story. It’s a model for districts nationwide.
By leading the way, Principal Chaillie and her team have created a blueprint for how to modernize school operations.
They’ve shown that safety, communication, and daily efficiency don’t have to be at odds.
With the right technology, schools can handle dismissal, emergencies, and student tracking without added stress.
Pikmykid doesn’t just fix one issue—it transforms how schools operate.
“Pikmykid has changed our lives,” said Principal Chaillie. “It just works.”
Ready to Transform Your School?
Inman Elementary’s journey is proof that safety and efficiency can go hand in hand with the right tools.
If your school still relies on manual processes or outdated emergency plans, now is the time to upgrade.
Pikmykid offers a seamless, scalable solution that empowers staff, reassures parents, and protects students.
Want to learn how your school can benefit from Pikmykid’s platform?
Request a demo today—and see what’s possible when safety meets smart technology.
