The start of this new year at Taft is noticeably different from the previous ones, especially as the school undergoes a noticeable wave of digitalization, reshaping many aspects of student life. From doing laundry to ordering food at the Jig to keeping up with club activities, new apps and platforms have replaced older systems with the promise of greater convenience. These changes highlight not only a shift in how students interact with campus resources but also a broader move toward technology as an everyday tool in the community.
Laundry Machines:
Most Taft students find themselves in the laundry room at least once a week, whether it is just down the hall or a few flights of stairs away. The laundry rooms on campus previously required a physical laundry card, which students would only realize was empty as they tried to dry their pile of wet clothes. Hoping it’s not a Sunday, this process entails heading over to the bookstore and reloading it with Mr. Burnett. This year, however, QR code stickers appeared on every washing and drying machine, signaling a shift to a new system. Through downloading the app “Laundry Connect Pay” from the App Store, students can now link a credit card, add funds directly, and activate machines by simply scanning the QR code or entering the machine number on the app.
Some welcome the newfound system’s added convenience: students won’t need to deal with the risk of losing a laundry card, worry about having to make a trip to the Bookstore minutes before it closes, and the app provides a countdown of the minutes remaining on each cycle, making it more convenient to track time. In the meantime, this change reflects a broader shift toward dependence on phones, as students must carry a device with them to start their laundry.
The Jig:
Remember when the line at the Jig would stretch out into the band room after Sit-Down dinner? Whether you’re a regular or someone who has only visited the Jig once or twice, the fact remains unchanged that the Jig is one of the most popular places Taft students choose to hang out in during the school day. However, with the Jig being so popular, it also becomes a crammed place, with students often awkwardly pushing up against their peers, struggling to walk, and the line stretching out like a long and winding snake that sometimes even reaches the door to the Jig patio.
Eventually, Taft took an initiative to make ordering food in the Jig more convenient and to shorten the Jig’s infamous long wait line, or so they hoped. The Jig teased an app for ordering food. The news of this new system spread like wildfire among Taft students, kindling love and excitement within the community. Finally, after the long two weeks of waiting, students could get the chance to order from the Jig through the phone app Mykidsspending. It not only allows for more convenient ordering, but it also has the potential to allow kids to get their orders without using the wait line as an excuse for being late to their F-Block.
Alongside the app, the Jig also made significant changes to its menu this year, which were met with controversy, but also newfound appreciation. For instance, one controversial opinion about the new menu was how you can only order the açai bowls during the breakfast time period, which made it almost impossible for people without a free block to partake in a bowl of sheer joy topped with granola. Nonetheless, the new food choices from the menu have also been diversified, with items like sushi and boba now being available.
Club Hub:
A hallmark of the Taft experience for many students is involvement in clubs and organizations, with options ranging from interest-oriented clubs, competition-driven clubs, and even those that extend their influence into the local community. Through these clubs, Tafties can find a place where they can connect with other students who share their passions and interests.
In past years, club leaders shared announcements during assemblies in Bingham on Wednesdays and Saturdays, informing students about meeting times, locations, and upcoming events. While these moments reflected the energy of Taft’s student life, announcements were not always clear — background noise, microphone issues, or simple absence from assembly often left students without the information they needed. This year, as part of Taft’s broader digital shift, Taft announced that it would make use of “Club Hub”, a website that gathers all club information in one place. The platform provides an accessible overview of each club’s meeting times, locations, members, and updates. Club leaders can also send invitations and post announcements about past or upcoming events, which reduces the chance of miscommunication and makes it easier for students to stay connected to the groups they care about.
Taft’s embrace of technology has not only streamlined daily routines but also redefined how students interact with one another and the school community. From laundry to late-night Jig orders to staying in touch with clubs, these digital tools show that convenience can also foster connection and participation. While the transition highlights a growing reliance on digital platforms, it also reflects the adaptability of Taft students and their willingness to welcome change. As these systems continue to evolve, we are left to wonder what Taft’s next digital step will look like and how it might further shape our community.
