PART 1

Have you ever had a nightmare that everything was digital and robots took over the world? Wake up, everyone! That nightmare has become our reality.

In April, we let go of the old way of using passes. Now, Smartpass has revolutionized our lives, for better or worse (probably worse). I mean, it takes five minutes to GET to the bathroom, let alone successfully make a round trip!

“We think digital passes will add value to school culture and increase instructional time in the classroom,” said future principal Mr. Reiser.

Students have described the program with words like “frustrating” and “overstepping.”

But, fear not guys–most of the time, things that people don’t like turn out to be things that they simply don’t know a lot about! 

Mr. Reiser explained some of the features. 

“Students are able to create passes to use the hallway, to go to the restroom, their locker, counseling center, main office, library, and other purposes. Students enter the system through Classlink and simply create their pass,” he said. “Once they reach their destination or return to the room of origin, they end their passes on their Chromebook. The passes have limits for the amount of time in the hallway or how many passes each student can use in a day.”

With this new information in mind, will students be more accepting of the passes? No, probably not.

Did the district think about all of the baggage that comes along with getting rid of grab-and-go hall passes? No, definitely not.

“Right now, we are using the program on a trial basis. We have discovered some challenges in how we set it up, so we are adjusting as we work through these last few weeks of school. We hope to implement this system full time in the Fall,” Reiser said.

So, we can rest assured that we will be using these puppies for the remainder of our (high school) lives. Do they not realize how annoying and tedious this could turn out to be? No, probably not.

“We were looking for a better and more efficient way to keep track of students using the hallway. This system allows us to do so,” said Mr. Reiser.

Though this may be the case, from a student standpoint, these passes are inconvenient, clunky, and niche. There are multiple necessary exemptions from both the limits as well as the passes altogether, given the longest pass so far is ten minutes.

An example of this is the newfound nagging responsibility for students. 

“The biggest issue for students, right now, is remembering to end their passes once they return to the room or reach their destination,” Mr. Reiser said. 

There is plenty of confusion for kids when they get back to their original destination, and sometimes the pass is still there, and sometimes it’s not. There is not enough communication between students and staff about who’s pass was ended when. 

However, administrators are aware of the tedious nature of this new application.

“We appreciate that students, teachers, and staff are working to use the pass and become accustomed to the system. We think it will add value to the school culture and increase instructional time in the classroom,” said Mr. Reiser. 

How well that goal will be achieved is in the eye of the beholder. Many students, such as myself, are skeptical about how well this will be implemented. Students with reasons to go to the bathroom more frequently, like periods (see Part 2), may be getting shorted here.

I can recall at least four instances where the online passes have required instructional time to stop because the teacher had to approve the pass for some odd reason. If you ask and get a “yes,” it’s awkward as the teacher makes the old walk of shame to the kiosk to hit the “student can go pee” button.

Was it a good idea to start this approach at the end of the year? No, probably not. Is it fair that every student has to be limited because of a select few? No, absolutely not. 

But, with respect to the administration, it’s clear that they do want our halls to be kept track of well. Regardless, there will likely be continued resistance to the new ways of life.

“I hate the passes,” said junior Tayden Harrold. “They can arrest me, I don’t care.”

Part 2 

School nurse Mrs. Fields has some information for students who menstruate!

“Currently Ms. Taylor, Mrs. Sandorf, Mrs. Knappenberger, and Ms. Thompson have supplies in their rooms. I also have a stand in the waiting area outside of my office that is always stocked with supplies,” Mrs. Fields said. “So, if you are in study hall or eating lunch, you can always stop in and grab what you need from there.” 

As far as the issue with the pass limit, there is a light of hope at the end of the tunnel!

“If you are over the limit for passes, send a request for a pass to see the nurse directly to me. I will never deny a pass from a student who needs to come to the health office,” Mrs. Fields said. 

Remember everyone, there is a bathroom in the nurse’s office! So, there are a couple ways to avoid the chaos that comes with the new system, at least somewhat. I digress.

To reiterate my other point, have you ever walked into the bathroom and wondered why the pads and tampons are not in the pad and tampon dispensers? Me too, sister! However, Mrs. Fields has provided us with a reminder: we can change that!

 “I have talked to the administration about this, and they had concerns about this topic. That is why I reached out to teachers to keep supplies available through the school for easier access to students,” she said.

Yeah, that’s cool and all, but why on God’s green earth should we settle for smuggling pads like we’re robbing a bodega? No change comes without agitation! I implore everyone who menstruates within these walls to demand basic necessities be placed in the proper facilities. 

 “YOUR VOICES MATTER!!! This is something that I would be happy to work on with you all to get in place moving forward. If anyone is interested in helping me brainstorm ways to get the products out in the bathrooms and to ensure that they are handled responsibly, please let me know. We can present your ideas to the administration for consideration,” said Mrs. Fields. 

The administration can change the way passes work, but they surely can’t change the way our bodies do. It’s important to speak up to get what matters to you implemented in your surroundings. We have the supplies and the voices, so let’s use them!

Mrs. Fields said, “In 2024, Pennsylvania approved a grant for schools to receive FREE period products based on enrollment. So I have a big supply of tampons (the good plastic ones) and pads available. So if you haven’t had a chance to get to the store, come to the health office to pick up what you need to get you through your period. If you need several to get through the day…stop in to see me. The goal is to support students so that no one has to miss school because of their period.”

So, if you’re interested in seeing period products being put where they belong, reach out to myself ([email protected]) or Mrs. Fields ([email protected]). 

She said, “I will support you all in any way that I can!!”