K12 is a new security system that works with PowerSchool to keep attendance updates seamless, and has been implemented into Watertown High School for the 2024-2025 school year. This system ensures that all WHS students are accounted for within the school environment in case of emergency. When first entering the school building, students have to individually punch in their student ID number or scan their student ID to get checked in for attendance. Currently, there are 6 Swipe Stations in the school; the most recent three in the nurse’s office, counseling department and the main office. The goal is to stop using hand written hallway passes and to be using one cohesive system.
In addition to this change, the school entrances have also been limited to 2 doors; the parent drop off loop and the main office for increased safety and to guarantee that the only people entering the school are affiliated with the high school. The #1 goal of WHS is to be safe, and the Swipe K12 helps to ensure and enforce this.
This new system will benefit all members of the high school; students, staff, administrators, and families. There will be less distractions within the classroom now that the teachers will not have to stop the lesson to write a student a pass. The classes are now able to flow smoother without interruption. This will also help administrators monitor misbehavior and make it easier to investigate problems within the school.
Finding a suitable security system was no easy task. Principal, Mr. Perugini, researched a number of different systems that were available on the market. Last school year, he worked with assistant principals Mrs. Cote and Mr. Hogrefe and tested out using QR codes when students would leave the classroom. This method had no added cost to the budget, however was determined to not be effective. A faculty member suggested K12 because, “it was different from anything else out there.” A meeting with a supervisor for K12 was then conducted about the system regarding costs and the effectiveness of the system, and ultimately the decision to input K12 within the WHS was made. With any new system, there were definitely challenges in the beginning. The WHS IT department and the K12 IT department worked together to align both systems.
Even with the learning curve, teachers were excited to use the new system. The principals have noticed that the staff has “welcomed it with open arms.” Mr. Perugini was unsure how the students were going to embrace the new system, since not all students had student ID cards or knew their pin. The WHS Administration knew they had to have patience with everyone adjusting to the new system and expected that coming into the school year. But, to Mr. Perugini’s surprise, “the students were excellent and no one complained!” He is ecstatic that there was not much criticism and said that the “students were awesome.” He felt the students really accepted the program, and after the first couple days of school, the check in’s have been faster and better.
Overall, K12 is a great addition to WHS and safety for all will be increased!
