Student IDs

Wednesday, December 1st, all Central students were expected to start wearing their student IDs on lanyards so that they are visible. Students received their IDs earlier in the school year and were given lanyards 2 days before they were asked to start wearing them.

To identify between students with open and closed lunch, freshman and sophomores were given black lanyards and juniors and seniors were given maroon lanyards.

Principal Joe Williams said, “The policy had been talked about for years. With the increased focus on school security this year, it was decided to implement the new policy.”

Sophomore Jodell Smith said she thought the policy would “make sure nobody enters the school who isn’t supposed to, it is good for our safety, and it helps the administrators as well”.

Algebra 2 teacher Mr. Garreau told me that he thought the new policy was “overall a good idea. It will help identify students and staff in the building and help us stay safe.”

However, Smith also said, “having to remember to wear my ID might be a hassle, it will be hard adjusting to this rule at first. I’m glad that this can protect us more, but I also hope teachers can be a little lenient as we get used to this, and even when we don’t have our ID completely around us, that doesn’t mean we don’t have a name tag or our ID in our pocket”.

Mr. Garreau also stated that “Students being identified if they misplaced or forgot their IDs can be difficult. I think there should be some flexibility, especially at the beginning in order for it to be utilized properly.” Mr. Garreau mentioned that “in the classroom there won’t be much, but when supervising or walking in the hallways, it will be good to be able to identify students.”

When acknowledging the growing pains that will come with this new policy, Williams said, “As with any new rule, we are giving it a little time for some grace for everyone to get used to it. If students aren't compliant with rules, school discipline is issued”.

Students are expected to have their IDs visible in order to enter the building at the start of the day. Teachers and administrators have also been reminding students in the hallways during passing periods to keep their lanyards on and visible. “ When we feel like we are in full implementation - the time when we are comfortable everyone has had time to get used to it and discipline will ensue - we will only allow entry between periods if the ID is being worn correctly”, siad Williams.

Students who show up to school without an ID are given a sticker name tag to identify them for that day. A new ID costs $2.00 and can be acquired in the Student Services office.

However the policy may not work how administration wants it to. Smith said, ”it would be easy for sophomores and freshmen to sneak out during open lunch, all they would need to do is switch lanyards with an upperclassmen and leave for open lunch.”

But Mr. Garreau said that “if it’s implemented and enforced consistently across all faculty members, then it will be effective”.