Digital Pass, Divided Opinions: the new digital hall pass divides opinions across the student body

Securly Pass is being fully phased in as a digital form of hall passes this school year. While last year students only used Securly Pass in seminar, other SMSD students fully switched over. But this year, the digital passes must be used for all forms of travel at SME.

“Securly gives students, teachers, staff, and administrators an easy system to facilitate time out of our classroom when needed,” Barikmo said. “This system has worked well in all of our middle and high schools and we are excited to continue this school-wide this year."

The digital passes can be used to go to the bathroom, visit the nurse, fill up a water bottle and visit a different class. While a student is traveling with a Securly Pass, teachers can observe how long a student is out of the class and where they are.

The new Securly Pass system will not only help teachers monitor students, but also help students reflect and manage their own time outside of the classroom, according to Barikmo.

“When students are out of the classroom, they don’t perform as well,” Barikmo said. “We know that this also allows students to consider how much they are leaving, the necessity of the time out of the classroom and the need to have a level of accountability."

However, Sophomore Emma Walker feels that the Securly Pass system creates unnecessary difficulties, complicating simple daily routines at school.

“Honestly, it's a really complicated process to just fill up your water bottle or go to the bathroom,” Walker said.