ADAMS TWP — A “wellness check-in tool” for students generated a lot of discussion at the Mars Area School Board meeting Tuesday evening. Board members did not vote on whether to give the system a trial run.

Board members discussed whether the district should try out the Rhithm app in grades one through five, and with special education students in grades six through 12. The trial run of the system would come at no cost to the district.

The system is described as a social-emotional learning check-in app, or a “wellness check-in tool.” The app invites students to check in on their mood and well-being with an “emoji-based” survey, according to a description of Rhithm from the app’s website.

“Based on their answers, our algorithm presents each student with a short activity to teach them essential life skills and/or to get them ready to learn,” according to the description of Rhithm from the app’s website. “Leaders can also create and deploy custom surveys and assessments to get a unique pulse on culture, climate, and more.”

Board member Sallie Wick worried that the app opens up a “Pandora’s box” of concerns around “responsibility, liability, parental rights, student rights, and teachers’ rights.”

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.