Freeport High School will soon require all students and staff to wear their school IDs on them at all times, more specifically on a lanyard around their neck.
FHS Principal Sarah Hasken said that the biggest reason for this policy is safety and security.
Hasken knows that there is a lot of work to do before everyone wears their IDs, but she plans to use positive reinforcement to encourage everyone to wear them. She acknowledges that all staff and students do not currently wear their IDs and does not want to enforce it negatively by giving out referrals. Instead, she hopes to rewards students for wearing them correctly as a means of positive reinforcement.
Teachers have varying opinions on this new policy.
“It helps keep our building safer because we don’t all know who should be here, “ English teacher Ms. Ogden said.
“I believe the ID policy is a good thing,” Family and Consumer Science teacher Ms. Patterson said.
“If we are not checking IDs at the front door while you’re coming into school, there’s really no point in wearing an ID,” Earth Science teacher Mr. Hersey said.
Students too are divided on the issue.
“It allows the staff to know that we are students of FHS,” said Bre McCabe, a senior.
Senior Natalie Namio feels similarly. “I don’t feel that great but I’ll wear it,” Natalie said.
However, senior Bre Simmons-Howard feels differently. “It’s pointless,” she said. “The IDs are weird.”
Similarly, senior Micah Sanders said, “It makes no sense to me.”
But most teachers plan on following this policy.
“I might mention it once every class period,” said Ms. Patterson.
All for one big reason: “Because I like my job,” Ms. Ogden said.