In the beginning of the new semester, students were greeted with a surprise – the return of the “Securly Pass”, commonly known as E-Hallpass. Using E-Hallpass, students are now required to go to the online application and put in a request for a pass, giving it their teacher and destination every time they need to leave the classroom. Once approved by the teacher, who has to begin the pass from their laptop, the student is free to go to the bathroom. Upon their return, the teacher must end the pass on their computer.

E-Hallpass limits the number of students allowed out of the classroom and in a certain destination at a time. This means if there are too many students out, students will have to wait, which can take a long time. If a teacher does not remember to start and end a pass, then the website might reach capacity and stop students from using the bathroom. 

Another use for E-Hallpass is moving to different classrooms during Seahawk Seminar periods. Previously, a student would need to get a pass from their teacher before class, and then show it to their designated SS teacher. Using E-Hallpass, a student has to put in the pass in advance and have it approved on both ends. This can create a problem for students who make the decision to move Seahawk Seminar periods during SS, rather than before, who now can’t go to other classes easily because the hall traffic limit is often full.

“I think it’s kinda annoying because if you wanna go to the bathroom you have to pull out your computer, you have to fill in the pass, wait for your teacher to approve the pass, and then go. But when you come back, sometimes your teacher forgets to end the pass,” Sophomore Erica Ocansey says. 

“You have to take your laptop out, and sometimes your teacher gets upset for having your laptop out. The limit is definitely a problem for people who have emergencies or just really have to go to the bathroom,” Sophomore Kyra Huppi complains.

“It has the right idea, and the administration that wants E-Hallpass has the right idea as to why it’s here, but it’s a disadvantage to a lot of people who have to go to the bathroom. There are people who go to the class for attendance but then leave for the entire class period with an E-Hallpass,” Sophomore Katie Bagley explains. 

Bagley highlights how there are people who occupy the hall limit by skipping class, causing it to be unfair to the other students at our school. 

“It’s just unfair, one time I had to wait 40 minutes just to go to the bathroom,” Bagley adds.

“I feel it’s unnecessary, I don’t see many people out in the hallways when I go, because of the small number of people allowed out, but also the people skipping class,” Ocansey adds.

“E-Hallpass is really limiting because only 25 people can come out, and that number is way too small compared to the number of students at our school,” Sophomore Troy Hauwrianto voices.

“I hate it, it’s too complicated,” Sophomore Samuel Park finishes. 

Annoyance and dislike for E-Hallpass has been common in the school since its return, and there are many who hope for its improvement or removal.