CMHS weighs in on Smartpass

By Jasmine Grant

News Reporter

Since our school started using SmartPass, students and teachers have been sharing all kinds of thoughts. Some love it, some aren’t so sure. This shows just how much this new digital hall pass is changing everyday life for everyone.

Photo courtesy of Google Images.

SmartPass lets students digitally request permission to leave class for things like the restroom, nurse, or library — all without interrupting the teacher. Instead of using paper passes, students send requests on their devices, which teachers can quickly approve or deny.

For staff, SmartPass offers a real-time system to track where students are, helping improve safety and reduce overcrowding in the halls. It also keeps digital records with student names and photos, making it easier to identify who belongs in the halls. There’s also a feature called Encounter Prevention. 

According to the SmartPass website, “Encounter Prevention is a feature that allows admins to prevent two or more students from being in the hallway or in Flex activities at the same time.” The site adds, “Unless they have override permissions, teachers/staff will not be able to sign students up for activities if a student in an encounter prevention group is already in the activity.”

“With SmartPass, we can know where students are and for how long. This keeps students in class and out of the hallway,” Mr. Blough says.

While teachers say it helps them keep better track of where students are and when they leave class, students have mixed feelings about the new system.

Student Trinity Humphrey believes SmartPass was introduced mainly to control overcrowding in the halls and bathrooms.

“Honestly, they probably just didn’t want that many people in the halls, but, yeah. That’s the best I could think of.”

Opinions among students aren’t all the same. Some like the convenience SmartPass offers, while others aren’t so sure if it’s really necessary. 

“Some students I’ve talked to like it, and a lot of students don’t. They say it’s kind of unnecessary and just makes things way more difficult than it has to be,” Carson Harrington said. 

SmartPass has definitely changed how things work around school for both students and teachers. Some people think it makes things easier and helps keep the school more organized and safe. Others aren’t really sure how they feel about it yet. Either way, it’s become a part of our everyday routine, and everyone’s still getting used to it.

"You know what? I feel really good about the SmartPasses. I mean, they weren’t needed but they’re pretty cool right now. At least I don’t have to worry about losing my paper or anything, so that’s a plus," Humphrey said.