Recently, after the final bell rang, I practically skipped out of Heschel, eager to dive into the brisk November air. Lost in my excitement, Eddie’s usual reminder slipped my mind, and I didn’t sign out. Nervous, I braced myself for the consequences. Surprisingly, though, nothing happened. 

I started to wonder: What’s the real reason behind this end-of-day protocol? Is it just another box to check off, or is there a larger purpose? To find out, I decided to go straight to the source: Amit Meir, Heschel’s Director of Security. 

 Meir explained that there is an important reason students need to sign out. “If there’s a fire or any other emergency, we can account for every student outside,” he said. “If someone’s missing, all I need to do is check my phone to see if that student is still in the building or if they left early.”

This precaution, as it turns out, isn’t just about tracking students’ comings and goings or monitoring punctuality. It’s a safety protocol, allowing the security team to respond quickly and effectively should anything unexpected happen. In a fire, for instance, every second counts. If a student isn’t where they should be, Meir can cross-check sign-out logs to see if they’re safely off campus or still inside.

However, these logs are not only important in emergency scenarios. As Meir recounted, there have been instances in the past when concerned parents called the school, anxious that their child hadn’t arrived home. With a quick check, Meir and his team can confirm if a student signed out or might still be in the building, asleep on a lounge beanbag. 

Finally, I asked the question that initially sparked my curiosity: What happens if you don’t sign out at the end of the day? Do they assume you’re sleeping over? Amit also said that he receives a notification on his phone for every student who hasn’t signed out. Then he gathers the front door team and reminds them of their responsibility to ensure that every student signs out. 

So, while it might seem like a small thing to remember each day, the sign-out procedure has a bigger purpose: Keeping students safe, ensuring peace of mind for parents, and giving the school community a practical way to account for everyone. Though it’s easy to let our minds wander to plans and afternoon adventures once the bell rings, taking a moment to sign out helps everyone keep track—and, in turn, helps our school stay secure.