As part of Saint James Catholic School’s continuing efforts to enhance security, we are introducing a new visitor management system for the 2023-2024 school year.

Saint James has contracted with SchoolPass to implement the new system, which is specifically designed for PK-12 schools. Visitors, volunteers, vendors and students who are late or leaving early sign in and out via an intuitive mobile or web-based app. Each visitor can be screened against the national sex offender list, and alerts are sent to administration and staff for risks. Customizable badges with photos are automatically printed at visitor check-in, and robust reporting allows SJS to see who is on campus, why and for how long. Not only will this new system improve the safety of our school and streamline the check-in/check-out process, it will enable us to safely and efficiently manage our afternoon pick up as well as effectively communicate with everyone in our building in the event of an emergency.

With SchoolPass, a visitor will sign in on an iPad at the main entrance, where they will use either their state-issued driver’s license or their unique digital ID, enter their destination, and a visitor badge with their photo will print immediately. The SJS staff member whom they are visiting will be notified by email and text message of their arrival when signed in. All visitors will remain in the main entrance corridor until a staff member is available to escort them to their location. The same is true for their departure: a staff member will walk them back to the main entrance to leave campus. For repeat visitors, we can issue digital IDs/mobile wallets, QuickPins and QR/barcodes to efficiently check in and check out of the building.

“This new system provides us a range of security features and accessibility,” shared Sister Mary Grace, Principal. “From digital IDs and daily afternoon pick up to emergency notifications, the system will quickly verify access authorization for visitors and parents while also adding another layer of security for our school.”

Parents will receive a welcome email from SchoolPass prior to Open House which will provide information about the app.  They will also receive an email with their digital ID that they can save on their smartphone wallet (similar to a mobile boarding pass) that will allow them to check in and out seamlessly when they visit the school.  Parents and staff who don’t use or have access to a smartphone will also be provided a QuickPin ID number to allow for seamless check in and out.  The system will also be used by parents to check their students in or out if arriving late or leaving early.

It is important to note that the only information SJS will access and store in this new system is the visitor’s first name, last name, date of birth, photo and visit information (time, date, who they visited and reason for visit).