Students at Rogers Heritage High School have a new system to handle hall passes.

The SecurlyPass system, commonly referred to as ePass by students and teachers, was introduced this year in an effort to decrease tardies and absences among students. It was discovered by Brian Walker, a teacher on special assignment, after conducting research to address this issue.

He found that one of the best ways to mitigate high rates of students out of class was to use a check-in, check-out system.

Enter: ePass.

The ePass is a digital system that allows students to create passes and gives real-time data to administrators and teachers of which students are out of class, for how long, and where they are headed.

It also provides limits for problems recognized by admin and teachers over the years. Specifically, students can only create three passes in one day, and locations have caps on how many students can have passes at the same time.

“The hallways seem calmer,” said Kristie Daut, the English department chair.

To use ePass, students login to the app or website via Google with their RPS information. Then, they create a pass which is sent to the teacher for approval. After approval, their pass keeps track of how long the student was out of class. If a student is out for longer than 10 minutes the pass turns from green to yellow, flagging the student on the app.

Students can use an ePass for any reason they’d need to be out of class, from bathroom breaks, to going to the nurse, to bringing forms to the office.

Other students feel that there are flaws in the system and are bothered by the process of completing an online form when the wireless connection can sometimes be unreliable.

“It works but maybe enforce it more and make sure every teacher knows how to use it,” said Rylan Eberhardy (11).

“I think that the ePass system is not living up to its full potential because students and teachers are confused on how to use it and some teachers don’t enforce it as much as they should. A possible solution to this problem could be to have a “cheat sheet” or guide of all the basics on how to use this new system, or any new systems, so teachers can reflect back on it whenever they are confused,” said  Jessie Varnell (10)

Walker expected that it would take time for everyone to learn how to use the e-Pass, but he believes that efficiency and accessibility will only increase as students and teachers get used to it.

“I think it’s new for everyone so when you implement something that’s new and it’s a process driven initiative, I think there’s [a period of] growth,” Walker said. “Students are growing and utilizing it, and teachers are having to grow to learn how to use it for the best practice for them.”

Developing a practice that works in the classroom is exactly what Daut has done for her College Composition students. She has placed a chromebook at the front of her room for students to accept and end their pass on their own to prevent disruptions during her teaching.

Daut finds this to be very helpful and encourages other teachers to find what works best for their students, to ensure that everyone stays dedicated to the process.

“I just think all offices and teachers have to use it consistently or it’s not going to work,” she said.

Before ePass, many teachers said they had difficulties keeping their students in class and out of trouble. However, with ePass, they said students have recognized the consequences of staying out for too long and have done their best to keep their times low and their breaks to a minimum.

The e-hallpass system has been helpful for both students and teachers. Students are able to go where they are needed while also missing less class. Teachers will feel comfortable letting students go with the knowledge that they can keep track of the time they’re gone and that other teachers are looking out for their students.

Despite the differing opinions, Heritage High School will continue to use the Securlypass system in hopes of keeping their current report on students being at school.

Heritage High School teachers and students will continue to grow and adapt to the new system over time and students will begin to reap the benefits of being timely and present in class and learn the importance of being timely and present in class.