A new semester means policies are being reinforced, especially the ID policy. Although this policy is intended to increase safety and security at our school, at times it can be excessive and inconvenient. 

The ID policy requires students to always be wearing their ID and have it be visible at all times. Students are required to print a paper sticker for the day if they do not have their badge. While the purpose is to encourage better student identification and allow access to the locked school doors, keeping up with these IDs can be troublesome at times. ID badges are easy to lose, and since the temporary sticker IDs do not unlock the doors, a student could end up stuck outside if they do not have their ID badge with them. If a student happens to lose their badge they will have to buy a new one for the price of five dollars, which to me seems a little high for a simple badge. 

Although the ID policy has always been in place at EMHS, recently the staff has been putting more pressure on students to have their badge on at all times. Even though some staff is enforcing it, some still aren’t, making it confusing for the student at times. The rule used to be that one’s ID badge had to be visible at all times, such as on one’s backpack, but it wasn’t required to be around your neck. In the past, if a student was not wearing their ID, it wasn’t that big of a deal, and it wasn’t really enforced. Now, the ID policy is becoming more serious and students are much more likely to be instructed to print a paper sticker if they forgot or lost their badge. 

Since the majority of students already have plenty of work to keep up with and at least six classes to stay on track with, it seems unnecessary to make students also be wearing their ID badge every day. Instead of having all the students and staff wear their IDs, better school security such as better camera systems could help rid the school of the need for ID badges by keeping students safe within the school, without badges. 

In my opinion, this policy seems to be a bit unnecessary. Rules like these can often be annoying, especially having to have an ID around one’s neck at all times. Instead of making the ID policy stricter, the school should install better or improve on current security systems, therefore, allowing students to still be safe while at school, but also eliminating the need for personal ID badges.  

Contact Emma Eischeid at [email protected]