Hall passes return to pre-COVID practice

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Keanu Silva

Eliana Kim holds up the purple pass that allows students to go to any place around their respective floor. “I don’t think this is the greatest idea,” said Kim.

Elise Rothenburg
September 13, 2022

Voice of the Tornado

They’re dirty and disgusting 

Nina Guerra 11th

I understand and appreciate the fact that they’re intended to keep us safe. However, I think they’re unsanitary and impractical. You take them to the restroom and wash your hands, only to touch it again. Also where am I supposed to put it when I’m using the restroom?? There has to be a better alternative. 

Amy Anderson, Grade 10

Passes are very unsanitary.

Giuliano Brunetti grade 11

I agree that there should be accountability for people out of class but I don’t think physical hall passes are the way to do it.

Jonah Bennet grade 12

Hall passes are burdensome but they provide safety for the students. They might cause headaches in the future. 

Arwen Impellizzeri grade 9

I don’t really care what the pass is and I’m fine with keeping the pass but maybe they can make multiple for each class room.

Alyssa Bianchi 11th

Leaving the classroom has transitioned from using QR codes to plastic hall passes similar to what was used pre-pandemic.  Each teacher was given two big brightly colored hall passes, each floor with a specific color. Teachers were also issued a bright yellow pass for students to travel outside their floor, for example to the office or counseling. 

“It’s easy to identify who’s been allowed out, and it’s easy to approach them,” assistant principal Denise Reed said. “With the QR codes, it was harder to tell who was actually allowed and who wasn’t.” 

Each pass can only be used by one student at a time, so a maximum of two students can be out per classroom. Because the passes are so big, security can tell who’s been permitted to be out of the classroom. 

“They’re a lot better than having to wait for your teacher to give you a pass,” junior Angelina Mappe said. “Plus, it might be easier for the teacher to keep track of how many students are out of the room.” 

The size and color of the passes make it easier on teachers and security to see if students should or shouldn’t be in a hallway during class. 

The size also makes some students find the passes inconvenient.

“I think they’re a good idea, … but they are massive,” junior Ashante Anderson said. “Really annoying to have to touch that thing when other people have touched them when going to the bathroom. If they had lanyards, where kids could wear them around their necks, then I’d feel much better about them.” 

While the passes do have downsides, such as the cleanliness, students do understand the need for them and are adjusting to the passes.

Video tech teacher Dawn Donnelly said the discomfort comes mainly from doing something normal in a new way. 

“They’re going to be a learning curve for (students), and it’ll take a while to adjust,” Donnelly said.  

Some students would like an alternative. 

“I would probably revert back to the whole QR code pass,” junior Angelina Mappe said. “It just felt so much easier, but it was probably harder for teachers/administrators to keep track where students were.”