*Falcon News reporters Spencer Stone, Araya Price and Isa Turtura contributed to this report
Elmira High School has officially launched its newest hall pass system called SmartPass.
SmartPass is a digital hall pass system to better track where students are going or where they are, and to see how many students are leaving class throughout the day.
SmartPass kicked off with the start of the second semester, and within the first week, school administrators have been collecting data and finding a pattern for safer and smarter trips throughout the halls.
For example, the highest number of student hall passes sent out in one day was approximately 285 passes, while the lowest was 140 passes so far.
“Although this system may seem like another way to get students in trouble, it was created for student learning rather than a punishment,” Student Success and CTE coordinator Jon Guldager told Falcon News.
The district spent $1,300, per Guldager, from the EHS Student Success fund, for a one-year pilot program that will last until January, upon which it will be re-evaluated by school officals whether to be continued.
“Staff have been getting more familiar with SmartPass,” principal Cydney Vandercar said. “It has been getting people to come back quicker and it saves time.”
To prevent teachers from having to set the hall pass throughout each class, there are plans to set up a kiosk computer in each classroom for quicker sign-outs and fewer distractions.
Some students see the advantages of SmartPass.
“SmartPass is a huge opportunity to help prevent students from skipping class,” senior Nasius Evenson said.
Other students have some mixed reactions.
“I guess I can understand why the school wants to implement the system,” the junior Carter Tracy said. “I’m just concerned about things taking longer than the school expects.”
Many students have shared similar opinions, most agreeing with the response from senior Hannah Humphrey.
“It’s a waste of the school’s money,” Humphrey said, adding that the money could be used elsewhere for better reasons.
Senior Mele Turtura says that she understands wanting to stop frequent bathroom breaks, but she has one key concern.
“It’s very inconvenient for students and teachers and there are more cons than pros,” Turtura told Falcon News, “especially for girls when they are going through menstruation and needing a bathroom break.”
With the understanding that some students may have distinct health issues, they may need longer in the bathroom than others, but so far SmartPass does not offer a solution in its program. However, Guldager did explain that school officials would understand certain circumstances and communicate with students individually to find what works best.
“It is understandable for the school to try to do this,” senior Awbrey Flowers said, “but it feels like it will be hard for everyone to adapt to the change.”
