"It’s not just communication. It’s the behavioral piece, the skills piece, it’s 
all connected. It creates a sense of togetherness and community."

Brian Prybil

Deputy Superintendent

Positivity from progress

Moline-Coal Valley is a district with a rapidly growing and diverse population. To support their goal of effective and inclusive communication, Moline-Coal Valley has partnered with ClassDojo to foster greater family engagement with multi-lingual families, develop more consistent practices district-wide, and build stronger school communities.

Bridging the Communication Gap

Moline values its diverse population and sought a way to enhance communication between schools and families. Administrators saw a need to move beyond traditional methods such as phone calls and emails which can be limiting for families still facing language barriers, making it harder to stay involved in their child’s education.

Partnering with ClassDojo has helped bridge these gaps by providing an instant translation feature, allowing teachers to communicate with families in their native languages. This has enabled more effective engagement, as families can easily access real-time updates about their children’s academic and behavioral progress. For a district with a 10% to 15% mobility rate, ClassDojo offers a consistent communication channel to keep families connected even during school transitions.

Fostering Positive School Communities

Beyond communication, Moline-Coal Valley has also used ClassDojo to cultivate more positive school cultures district-wide. Teachers and administrators use the platform to send messages of praise and recognition, reinforcing positive behavior and academic success. This focus on positive reinforcement has created a motivating environment where students feel appreciated for their efforts.

Principals noted that the platform facilitates meaningful interactions with students. For example, when students earn points on ClassDojo, principals can congratulate them in person, reinforcing the positive behaviors tracked on the platform. This approach has built a stronger sense of community across schools, as teachers and administrators can monitor progress district-wide, identify patterns, and celebrate successes together.

Strengthening Bonds Between Teachers and Students

Moline-Coal Valley has also used ClassDojo to strengthen relationships between teachers and students, particularly for specialists like art and physical education teachers who work across multiple schools. These teachers, who often have limited face-to-face time with students, use the platform to maintain meaningful connections, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity in their interactions with students and families.

Teachers appreciate the real-time updates and visibility into student progress, enabling them to recognize and celebrate individual accomplishments, whether it’s mastering a new skill or demonstrating positive behavior. This has created an encouraging atmosphere that supports student growth and learning.

Establishing Consistent Practices District-Wide

Before adopting ClassDojo district-wide, Moline-Coal Valley’s schools used various tools and methods for tracking behavior and communicating with families. This lack of consistency led to confusion, especially for students who moved between schools.

By implementing ClassDojo across all schools, Moline-Coal Valley has established a unified approach to behavior tracking and communication. The platform’s structure allows teachers to set clear and consistent behavior expectations, ensuring that students moving between schools encounter similar standards and experiences. This consistency is particularly important for students who frequently transfer within the district, providing a predictable environment and reducing uncertainty.

The ability to analyze data district-wide has also been invaluable. Moline-Coal Valley can now track communication engagement, identify trends, and refine strategies to better meet families’ needs. This data-driven approach helps ensure that communication methods are effective and aligned with parent preferences, making it easier to reach and engage all families.

Conclusion

Moline-Coal Valley School District has found ClassDojo to be an invaluable tool in improving family engagement, building a positive school culture, and ensuring consistent practices across schools. By addressing communication barriers, celebrating student success, and providing a unified platform for tracking progress, ClassDojo has enhanced the educational experience for students, teachers, and families. As the district continues to evolve, ClassDojo will remain central to its efforts to create a more inclusive, connected, and supportive learning environment.