In an effort to secure a safe environment, Niles West has initiated a new ID Card Policy in which students and staff will have to display their ID cards around their necks at all times.
Students were given lanyards with their ID cards hanging from them during textbook pickup. Students and staff must wear their lanyards at all times. Failure to do so can result in consequences such as a verbal warning, detention, etc.
This new rule has been made in order to prevent tragedies similar to the ones at Columbine and Sandy Hook, according to assistant principal of operations Kendall Griffin.
“The new ID policy allows everyone within the school community to properly and safely identify who is or is not a current D219 student, faculty or staff member, or person related to the school,” Griffin said. “The proper identification of everyone in our building is top priority and goes hand in hand with goal of providing a safe educational environment for all our students and staff.”
Some students said they are not phased by the new ID rule.
“They’re not hurting me or anybody around me, so it doesn’t bother me,” senior Lila Gilbert said.
Some staff and students members, however,said they fail to understand why this new policy was put into effect such as English teacher Sharon Swanson.
“I don’t really understand why this policy was put into effect—and why now? I would feel a lot better about it if I could understand the rationale behind it,” Swanson said. “In the kind of school community I envision, there’s no need for everyone to wear an ID around his neck; and really, if someone is intent on creating any kind of negative situation, wearing an ID isn’t going to make much of a difference.”
Junior Maria Nagani isn’t too happy with the lanyards either, but she can understand what the school administration is trying to do.
“Well I don’t like them [the lanyards] but I see where they are trying to go with this, but it’s too Jr. High,” Nagani said. “To tell you the truth I don’t even think it’s going to stop people from loosing their IDs. I feel like most students aren’t even going to wear them.”
Alum • Aug 21, 2013 at 8:57 AM
The Columbine incident happened back when I was in high school, so why is this suddenly an issue now? The Columbine shooters would have been wearing the same IDs as the other students too, so this would not have prevented anything. This makes about as much sense as a fish riding a bicycle. If the administration wants this fine, but at least explain the reasoning. This has nothing to do with a Columbine-style situation since the perpetrators were students.
This wouldn’t have helped with a Sandy Hook situation either.
Jim • Aug 20, 2013 at 7:01 PM
This is so annoying. I don’t understand why we have to wear it in class also? You know I’m in the class so why am I wearing this stupid thing around my neck. They were fine without this all these years and they pull this out of the blue.
Student • Aug 20, 2013 at 5:26 PM
The first rule on the rear of the ID states “This card is not transferable and must be CARRIED at all times.” There is no written rule on the rear of the ID that requires a student to display the card at all times. The rules on the rear of the card need to be revised and each student issued a card at book pickup will have to be reissued a new card on by August 26th and be exempt from the new display policy until they receive a new, properly revised ID card.
Buzzy • Aug 20, 2013 at 7:48 PM
You are probably right but this new policy might be included in the new student handbook in which you probably had signed the “contract” located in the beginning of the handbook. And I suppose you didnt read it(trust me no one reads the handbook) and hastily submitted to your homeroom teacher just to “get it over with.” BUT i dont know if you guys still have those contract in the beginning of the handbook though.
Niles North got the retractable id holder which is cool i think? lmao
Student • Aug 21, 2013 at 4:56 PM
We don’t get handbooks, nor have I or anyone else sign such handbook.
Buzzy • Aug 21, 2013 at 9:49 PM
fair enough. We had handbooks and we have to sign the first page of it. Thanks for making me feel old lol.