In an era where technology reshapes everything around us, even something as simple as a hall pass is evolving. Passes have been around almost since modern schools have been in existence, and current improvements in technology have led to the implementation of a digital hall pass system on StudentVUE. However, while this shift marks a significant technological advancement, it also introduces pros and cons for the RM student body and staff.

“I think this [digital hall pass system] is a good idea because obtaining student passes were really easy to get, and sometimes students could forge signatures and dates, no way to know for sure to tell from a real or fake one,” freshman Viyana Marginean said. Marginean further explained that the original passes could cause concerns within schools and missing absences of students, which would be a major issue if not for the newer, revised option. “It [digital hall passes] has a higher success rate in notifying staff of where the student is and how much time is left, instead of just letting them go.” She also noted that they would be better for the environment, and that a digital-base system is the greener way to go. 

While there clearly has been some support for this change, other students at RM are less favorable towards the hall pass system due to various technological and efficiency related issues. “The system is terrible, it frequently glitches and overall would have to have a teacher sign a regular old pass to actually be excused from class,” freshman Shekinah Baldovino said. Baldovino also agreed that the StudentVUE pass system is slower and takes a longer time to be accepted by teachers and staff. This takes more valuable learning time out of school and some students typically do not return from where they requested to go. 

Some students also oppose the allotted time of seven minutes, saying it is “too lengthy” and that “it can be decreased.” Others have a more neutral opinion regarding the whole system. “I don’t think that the new way is better or worse, I think that sure, it can bug out sometimes but it is not that bad. This helps teachers know when a student’s time is up and when or where they want to know where they are in case they abuse it in any way,” freshman Chase Cohen said. 

Some staff at RM have had different opinions about the new hall pass system, regarding it as a positive change.“I think it’s great, I think it’s finally something that is not very hard to administer and be consistent on, and have it updated to 21st century technology that is easier to implement,” Instrumental director Peter Perry said. He commented that the previous versions of hall passes were tedious and that the current system is the better way to go and should not be altered. “Heck no! It’s so much better than any paper and pencil or a dirty lanyard pass, or if it gets lost and dropped on a dirty floor. I hope they continue to improve this to make more changes.” Dr. Perry emphasized that older hall pass methods were frequently abused, whereas the new system is more efficient for both students and teachers to use.

Additionally, RMHS had committed for one semester to provide and collect information on the digital pass system in order to evaluate its efficacy. “We [Richard Montgomery], signed up to be a pilot school for the semester, and at the end, students, staff and parents would be given an opportunity to provide feedback about the electronic hall pass system. It is too early to tell if this will be here to stay or if this is something that needs rethinking,” IB coordinator Joseph Jelen said. He also mentioned that security will be on a constant watch on students wandering the halls and asking for approved passes. “I think that as long as high school has existed, some [students] make it where they are supposed to be, while some do not … there are always consequences that will follow.”

The arrival of this novel digital pass system has caused assorted debate among students and staff at RM, showing how fairly tossed this matter is. Overall, the system helps to set precautions and protect the school from any likely danger or security concerns. In due time, people (primarily students and teachers) in MCPS will also be able to comment on the system change, making way for more inputs to decide if this is the course of action that should be ultimately considered.