The gates enclosing the student parking lot have officially begun closing at set times throughout the school day, enforcing the one-point of entry policy, impacting the day to day operations at UC High.

   Principal Mike Paredes said, “Every gate has a number. The walk-through gates are lettered and the drive-through gates are numbered. We start the day off with all walk-through gates open. The drive-through gates open in the morning when our custodian arrives around 7 a.m. so families can begin dropping their children off by the gym or anywhere on campus. At the start of first period, around 9 a.m., we begin locking down multiple gates and fences starting with the drive-through gates and the walk-through gates by the office and flag pole. By 9 a.m., the only way that folks should be entering the building is through the single point of entry, which is the main office. The one exception to this is Gate 3 which has access to the student parking lot.”

   Paredes said that students who need to leave campus with a blue pass will be let out from the student parking lot through Gate 3 with the help of an administrator or security who will be informed through the radio. If a student is aware that they need to be leaving school early, they are advised to park in the bounds outside of the student parking lot; parking is available by the bike rack or in the lot in front of the office. This allows them to pick up their blue pass and then leave through Gate 4 rather than through the student parking lot Gate 3. “From periods two to five, everything is supposed to be locked down,” said Paredes.

   Paredes recognizes that Gate 3 is probably the most tedious for both staff and students. Junior Lucia Dewinter said, “I think it’s unreasonable especially since when we didn’t have them [the gates] there were no significant issues. Especially since I ride my bike, it’s annoying to walk all the way through the parking lot just because the gates are closed.”

   Paredes said that overall, the coordination needed to open the gates is a small price to pay for what feels like a safety precaution against any individual being able to freely walk onto campus. He said, “This makes it much more difficult for uninvited guests to step onto campus through the single point of entry. Paredes said, “If we see someone that looks a little sus[pect], we are not letting them in. We are also able to control the flow [of people and deliveries]. To open the front office door, individuals must ring the doorbell, make eye contact with someone at the front desk and be buzzed in.” Paredes said, “This door rings all day long; you would think you’re at a 7-11.” The second gate, to enter the school parking lot, is always open.