Introducing Preferential Activity Selection: A Fairer Way for Every School to Manage Activities

^{The game-changing feature that's transforming how schools worldwide create equitable access to extracurricular programs}

We're thrilled to announce the launch of Preferential Activity Selection – a brand new way for schools to manage their extracurricular programs with fairness and flexibility. This highly-requested feature represents another step forward in our mission to provide greater access to activities to students all around the world.

Why We Built This: Listening to Our Global School Community

At Clipboard, we believe that every student deserves equal access to enriching extracurricular opportunities. When schools all over the world – particularly our international school partners across Asia and the Middle East – shared their challenges with traditional "first-come, first-served" activity selection, we knew we had to act.

The challenge is especially acute for international schools. Picture this: a parent in Singapore setting her alarm for 3 AM to secure spots in popular activities, while families in London had the advantage of convenient afternoon sign-ups. This wasn't fair, and it was causing significant frustration in school communities.

But it's not just international schools facing these challenges. Schools everywhere deal with:

• High-demand activities filling up in seconds
• Parents frustrated by the "hunger games" of activity sign-ups
• Inequitable access based on technology, internet speed, or availability
• Staff overwhelmed by managing waitlists and fielding complaints

That feedback sparked the development of Preferential Activity Selection – a feature that creates a level playing field for all families, whether they're navigating time zones or simply seeking a less stressful sign-up experience.

How It Works: Simple, Fair, and Powerful

With Preferential Activity Selection, the mad rush is over. Here's how it transforms your activity sign-up process:

Preference-Based Selection

Instead of racing to enrol the moment activities open, parents and students can now:

• Browse all available activities at their convenience
• Rank their top choices (1st preference, 2nd preference, 3rd preference, and so on)
• Submit their preferences within a designated time window
• Rest assured that everyone has an equal opportunity

Smart Allocation System

Once the preference window closes, Clipboard’s intelligent system:

• Processes all submissions fairly
• Allocates students to activities based on their preferences and available spots
• Provides administrators with complete control to review and adjust allocations
• Ensures transparency with clear reporting on allocation outcomes

Seamless Integration

The beauty of Preferential Activity Selection lies in its flexibility:

• Schools can switch between preference-based and traditional first-come, first-served modes
• Mix and match approaches for different activity groups
• Maintain all existing Clipboard features you love – from payment processing to waitlist management

Built for the Real World: Features That Matter

For School Administrators

• Complete Control: Review allocations before finalising, make manual adjustments, and ensure fairness across your program
• Powerful Analytics: Track preference fulfilment rates, identify popular activities, and make data-driven decisions
• Flexible Payment Options: Choose when to collect payments – during preference submission or after allocation
• Streamlined Communications: Automated notifications keep families informed throughout the process

For Parents and Students

• No More Time Zone Stress: Submit preferences at your convenience within the selection window
• Clear Visual Interface: Beautiful, school-branded portal makes browsing and selecting activities a breeze
• Multi-Student Management: Parents can easily manage preferences for all their children in one place
• Transparent Process: Know exactly when selections open, close, and when results will be announced

Revenue Generation For Schools of Any Size

Preferential Activity Selection isn't just about fairness – it's about maximising the potential of your extracurricular program:

• Increased Participation: When the process is fair, more families engage
• Better Resource Planning: Understand demand patterns to optimise your activity offerings
• Enhanced Parent Satisfaction: Happy parents are more likely to invest in additional programs
• Streamlined Operations: Spend less time managing complaints and manual adjustments

Looking Ahead: Your Feedback Shapes Our Future

This launch is just the beginning. We're committed to continuous improvement based on your feedback. Our product team is already exploring enhancements like:

• Advanced allocation algorithms
• Group preference options
• Historical fairness tracking
• Enhanced reporting capabilities

Ready to Improve Your Activity Selection Process?

Preferential Activity Selection is available now for all Clipboard schools. Whether you're managing programs across multiple time zones or simply want a fairer way to handle high-demand activities, this feature is designed to meet your needs.

Want to see it in action? Contact your Customer Success Manager to schedule a personalised demo and discover how Preferential Activity Selection can revolutionise your school's extracurricular program.

At Clipboard, we're more than just software – we're your partner in creating exceptional extracurricular experiences. From streamlined administration to enhanced parent engagement, we're here to help your school's activities program thrive.

Join the growing community of schools worldwide who trust Clipboard to manage their extracurricular programs. Because when activities run smoothly, everyone wins.

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