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By Ahren PaVel
This September at Kenmore West, there has been a permanent implementation of the OpenGate system. Any time you wish to get through the doors of our high school, you need to pass through the OpenGate system to be admitted. This weapons detection security system uses two giant sensors to scan for any weapons a student and or visitor may have on their person/in their bag. Last year, OpenGate was only used sporadically, being put in place randomly and usually before big school events. The scanners make for a supposedly fast and safe entry for students, but let's see what the students themselves think about the system.
Gavin Lewis (Senior):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
Yes, I believe it's beneficial to the school because it keeps us safe, while only being a minor inconvenience.
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
No, I believe it's good as is.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
It's annoying but necessary.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
Nope
Ava Missico (Senior):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
Absolutely! I think that if it were executed slightly differently, though, it would make for an easier experience.
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
Yes, I believe that if there were more screening gates put into place, the lines would be shorter, and in turn, this process would go faster.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
I feel like it is very preventable with the right implementation.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
No
Yared Gesesse (Junior):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
In a way, yes, because I do believe that now, since we don't have our phones, we need that extra safety precaution. But it does take up a lot of time, kids don't wanna sit outside in a line, especially when winter time comes around.
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
Other than getting rid of it completely, I don't think so. You can't really do much about it; they only have a set amount of scanners, so obviously, they gotta cover the main entrances, which means people are forced to go through these entrances only. I'd like for them to find some other way to make it efficient, but I'm not sure how you would do that.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
I think it's really bad, because of this, I've developed a habit where I show up to school 30 minutes before anyone else gets there. And then a line starts behind me, and I can tell some people find it really annoying.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
I'm wondering if they could get more staff to hold computers to walk through. I know they already have two, but I think I'd be more efficient if they had like four, this way kids can go a lot quicker.
Analis Cirino (Junior):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
The pros definitely outweigh the cons in terms of safety. You're preventing weapons from getting into the buildings. Don't get me wrong, it's annoying to get into the building, but overall I'd say it's positive.
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
Definitely, we can use better technology. Half the time, the sensors don't even work. Sometimes they do go off, sometimes they don't. It's weird.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
Honestly I don't mind them, because sometimes I'm late and I appreciate the lines because they give me an excuse for being late.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
Not really, I mean it's annoying sometimes with how the tables are full with people taking out their Chromebooks, and then there's no space to put your bag down and grab your laptop. It's just annoying. I wish it wasn't necessary, but I feel like it is.
Lilly Ruot (Sophomore):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
Yes, in some ways, but it's almost too much of a hassle to be worth it. Yes, in the safety factor, but money-wise and time efficiency, no.
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
I feel like adding the 2 people was beneficial to us, and honestly just with time we'll get used to it.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
I feel like they've been going a lot faster compared to the first two days of school, and honestly, I haven't been so bothered with it because we've been getting prepared for it.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
The fact that schools feel the need to implement this is crazy, but overall it is needed.
Josephine Carter (Sophomore):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
Ultimately, the opengate is beneficial to our school as it can better prevent weapons brought into school, but I think the way it’s set up right now, and with the number of kids late to school on a daily basis, it is causing harm.
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
I think opening the doors earlier or having more people assist with OpenGate is beneficial, as often in the morning, lines are clogged because kids can’t get through fast enough.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
The long lines are irritating, especially because I have to get to school 10-15 minutes before the doors even open so I can get breakfast before the bell rings, but ultimately the lines have gotten significantly shorter so I don’t have a major problem with it.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
OpenGate doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon so the best idea is to regularly ask students how they feel and ways to improve, so it can be better constantly, and [then] kids can have a smooth and easy morning.
Will Winkler (Freshman):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
No, I don’t think OpenGate is beneficial to the school because when the metal detectors go off, they don’t even check your bag, so it doesn’t do anything but slow people down.
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
I think that when the alarms go off they should actually check your bag because if there was a threat, they would actually find it. The school could also invest in more metal detectors so there is less of a line.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
I think the long lines are bad. They have made me late to my first period class many times which could eventually get me in trouble.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
No, not really, I just think they could improve the system.
Megan Kiel (Freshman):
Do you think OpenGate is beneficial to the school?
I would say yes. It's a pain, but I feel like it keeps everyone safer, and it feels like it's been faster, so by the end of the year, it will be going as fast as it can. Plus it's only keeping us safe
Do you think there's a way to make the OpenGate system better?
I would say, if there's anything I'd say, try to make it so it doesn't pick up binders. Of course, I don't know if that's possible, but they can try to make more entrances with OpenGate.
How do you feel about the long lines in the morning?
I take the bus so I'm inside when there are lines, so I'm pretty okay with it.
Are there any other thoughts that you have about OpenGate?
Not really, it's just how it's gonna be for as long as I'm gonna be in school, I'm not gonna complain about it because I know it's not gonna stop.
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