Are Student ID cards actually needed?

In January, MS 447 introduced a new school entry routine. The school created Student ID cards which included the child’s full name, a photo from earlier in the year, the main office’s phone number, as well as a barcode. When the card is scanned, the system records the exact time of arrival. The machine also will automatically print a late pass if scanned after 8:40 AM. It will even sing Happy Birthday if it’s the student’s birthday! This is a new concept being tested for the first time. 

The school started the program by giving the ID cards to only class 601, but later expanded to all 6th graders and eventually, all 7th and 8th graders. The ID cards have a barcode for each student, which Ms. Jen scans in the morning. 

Student reaction to the new cards is mixed. Some found the new system to be an improvement and easy to use. 

Charlie Mead from 601 said, “I thought the normal entry was fine, but this method is more efficient.” When he was asked how the system could be improved upon, he added, “You could use a few different machines to maximize the scanning so everyone can get through faster.” 

Getting everyone through faster was a concern for other students. Viggo Bordenet from class 601 said, “I thought that the system before was better because it was a lot less crowded.” 

Ms. Jen also had her own opinion on this new system. She said she liked the old way that we did morning entry, but it's mostly because we could do the polls. She also agreed that there are ways to improve the new system like more scanners both at the door and in the main office and students could work harder not to lose their cards.

Students also felt differently about the pictures on their ID cards. Some students were unhappy or embarrassed that the school used a photo from an Expo trip instead of their school photos. However some felt the opposite. Viggo thought his photo was fine, and was glad they didn't choose his school photo. One thing that Viggo and Charlie agreed on however, was that students wouldn’t get in any more trouble for being late than before, it would just be more organized with the new scanners. 

Ms. Jen agreed, saying, “Since the system automatically prints out late passes, it also cuts down on how late the students are to class. Instead of going all the way to the main office, kids just scan in, get their late pass right there, and go straight to class.”