Newbury Park High School adapts to the 5-Star system
Seven minutes marks the countdown… Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, Newbury Park High School has adopted the 5-Star System. Instead of teachers writing individual bathroom or hall passes, students scan the QR code on their teachers wall through 5- Star and their countdown to use the restroom begins. When the timer ends, the pass on a student’s phone will turn red signifying that the pass is late or overdue. This app serves as a digital ID and hall pass for students. For students who do not have phones, teachers will scan their ID which puts them into the bathroom pass system.
As NPHS moves further into the school year, more features have been added to the app. For example, students who have off campus passes or off periods now show their 5-Star ID at the gate, instead of their physical card ID. Similarly, the SAC stamp, press passes and sports participation are included on the 5-Star ID.
Even though 5-Star is new for students, it has been mentioned for years. Richard Bateman, Digital Photography and Graphics teacher, volunteered to do a trial with this system last year. “There was a problem with students trying to get out of class. I wanted them to be accountable, and the 5-Star system did that,” Bateman said. The 5- Star app has also made writing passes a thing of the past. “I can concentrate more on the teaching part instead of the administering of bathroom passes,” Bateman said.
Along with 5-Star being a tool to hold students responsible for hall pass usage, 5-Star has made a significant difference with efficiency. Claudia Frankfort, sophomore, has been adapting to the new 5-Star system. “I feel like whenever I have to go to the bathroom, I don’t have to carry a large unnecessary item to the bathroom, and I could just take my phone. And also the little countdown thing really helps me with my timeliness,” Frankfort said.
The new 5-Star system has been helpful in some aspects, however, there have also been complaints. With the new timer aspect, the amount of time sanctioned to use the bathroom has become debatable. Although Frankfort likes aspects of the app, there are also some downsides. “I think I should just take as much time as I need in the bathroom. And I get that they’re doing it because of, like, troublemakers and stuff. But honestly, like, I just need my time,” Frankfort said. The app or system also has other problems such as QR codes malfunctioning or long loading screen delays. Some of Frankfort’s peers have said “it doesn’t work for them, so it causes some embarrassment when they have to write an extra bathroom pass,” Frankfort said.
On the other hand Mr. Bateman feels that students are adapting just fine. “I think it’s working well, because a lot of my students have already adapted to this policy,” Bateman said. Despite teachers and students having issues with the new app, students have transitioned and the 5-Star system has modernized Newbury Park High School.
