This school year Notre Dame Academy implemented a School Identification Card policy, causing mixed reactions from students and staff alike. 

This initiative came out of the school safety committee and requires all students, staff and authorized individuals to wear lanyards with an identification card during all the hours that the Visitor Management System is being used.

They must also be worn outside of all clothing and above the belt line. If forgotten, an identification sticker given out at Mrs. Kirschling’s desk in the atrium must be worn in its place. 

Although many students think it’s a nuisance, the motivation behind the new policy is clear: the administration is taking more security measures to ensure the safety of our school. 

“With the increased number of school shootings and violence, law enforcement officials are being trained when they come into a school setting to look for lanyards,” said Principal Patrick Browne. “So if they see that you have a lanyard on, they move on to the next person. That’s one of the only ways they can identify someone as potentially trying to hurt people. In order to be in alignment with the training they’re receiving, we need to make sure we have lanyards. Otherwise, they’re being trained for something that doesn’t apply to this school.” 

Many students have been doubting the importance of this because of the possibility that the threat could be from a student at the school. Mr. Browne admitted that this is a possibility, but right now they are trying to mitigate the risk as much as possible.

However, students have thought of their own ways to ensure our safety.

“If you want more security, you should have a police officer walking around the hallways,” said senior Sarah Lelinski. 

Senior Henry Kanning said, “Why not make a security system where you have to use your lanyard to get in? Then we can have the (ID cards) and have that added security without having to worry about wearing them all day.”

Many do not know this, but the lanyard isn’t the only new addition to this initiative. There is a button next to Mrs. Kirschling’s desk that quickly closes and locks all of the doors in the atrium to trap someone inside that space.

Coming in the next few months, there also will be added cameras around the school. We will continue to have safety drills throughout the year.

Another reason students are upset is the referral issued any time it’s forgotten at home, believing there should be one free pass given to all. However, in order to ensure its uniformity across the board, this is not an option the school is looking into.

Math teacher and study hall moderator Mr. Konshak gave his thoughts on this.

“Now, being a detention moderator and having 20 some kids in here for a whole entire week straight, it’s the most kids I’ve ever had,” said Mr. Konshak. “We don’t have bad kids; they’re not doing this on purpose; it’s definitely a calibration type thing. But, I don’t think the free pass works. It had to be one of those things that we’re all on board to say it’s a non-negotiable.” 

Wearing a lanyard every day may take some getting used to, but it’s not going anywhere. Even though many think it’s a nuisance to wear, it’s only there to increase safety and comply to law enforcement training.

To avoid that unnecessary referral, make sure to put it in a spot where it won’t be forgotten and wear the lanyard every day.