SmartPass Comes to NHS

Newtown High School introduced a new online pass system on October 13 to better keep track of students in hallways and bathrooms.

SmartPass has been introduced to schools in the United States, and over 3,500  schools are currently users of SmartPass. It is a digital hallway pass, to locate students around the school and make sure they are safe. Students are allowed five minutes out of the classroom, and the teacher and security guards are notified of when a student has reached the limit. 

This program will be launched for three weeks.  Security guards, as well as teachers, have access to student locations with the upcoming SmartPass.  At Newtown High School, fourteen teachers volunteered to pilot the new SmartPass before it was  introduced to everyone: Steve George , Jane Matson, Tony Metz, Elie Mouchantat, Lisa Sheridan,and Kym Noone to mention a few. These teachers worked to troubleshoot possible issues prior to the full rollout.

“We are working out the kinks in the system. We’ve had some issues with the software, but overall, I think it is going to be very beneficial for the school, and I find that students are amazed by how much time they spend out of class, the ones that do use it. But I like it. I think it’s going to be really good,” NHS FLEX mathematics teacher Lisa Sheridan said.

“So, we’re about to get to the next phase where we’re gonna have all the teachers start using it now. So the pilot is kind of phasing out. We’ve kind of  worked through some of the kinks of it,”NHS Assistant Principal Paul Ribeiro said. 

With every online application, there is room for malfunction. Students can try to bypass this system, and tiptoe around to not get in trouble. 

While students may try to sneak around the SmartPass, it exists with intent. 

When an NHS student needs to leave the classroom

“I think for some students who are struggling academically, it might help paint a bigger picture of what’s happening,” Ribeiro said.

Ribeiro also discussed the potential issues with any new technology.

“I think some of the cons, you know, as always using technology, there might be some growing pains at the beginning, as people are starting to learn the system. That is why we need to do the pilot, so we can see some of those things to try and fix beforehand,”  Ribeiro said.

It got to a point where the administration at Newtown High School decided they needed to incorporate a SmartPass to keep hallways clear. Many students are not fans of the idea of the SmartPass. 

“I think it is needed because of the students who are irresponsible and go to the bathroom, and do bad things, but it’s not fair to the rest of the people who just go to the bathroom to do what they need to do,” NHS junior Lahja Kurjiaka said. 

Many students also agree with Kurijiaka in her opinion that students need more time to get to the bathroom or a different location. 

“I think sometimes the nearest bathroom is too far, and you can’t get there and do what you need to do in five minutes. So I think you definitely need more time,”  Kurjiaka said.

 So, the question is, will there be a point in time when we can remove the SmartPass?

“Whenever there is an initiative here at the schools, we try things because we think it's best,  but if we see it is not working or if there are significant issues, we want to keep doing it just for the sake of doing it. If we’re seeing it is that effective, then I don’t see why we would. But like I said, we anticipate that this is going to be really worthwhile, that it is going to be very beneficial for everyone,” Ribeiro said.

While students may not like the idea of the SmartPass, it has good intentions by making the school feel safer for other students.