On September 15, the school administration announced that a new lanyard  student identification policy will be instituted this school year, the date of which has yet to be announced. Though there is still much speculation as to the specifics of this new policy, we do know that students will be required to wear the lanyards to school and display them while they are walking the halls.   Faculty and staff are also required to wear such identification. On September 15, the school administration announced that a new lanyard  student identification policy will be instituted this school year, the date of which has yet to be announced. Though there is still much speculation as to the specifics of this new policy, we do know that students will be required to wear the lanyards to school and display them while they are walking the halls.   Faculty and staff are also required to wear such identification.

Some staff members are addressing this issue as representative of a positive change, one that was mounting for a long time.  Mrs. Wojcik, a math teacher who is in favor of the lanyards, explained her stance by saying, “Students should have to wear lanyards… they need to be identified.”  Mrs. Wojcik continued to explain her take on the new policy adding, “[The new lanyard policy] is preparing you for life.”

The majority of the student body is appalled by the idea of wearing a lanyard with ID everywhere they go.  Diana Novachevska, a junior who despises the lanyard idea, explained her opinion by saying, “We managed perfectly fine without them, and we don’t need them now.”  Students are unaccustomed to the responsibility and accountability that comes with the new lanyard policy, and it is natural for there to be resistance to such an abrupt change in the school dynamic.

Though they are a minority, there are students who fully accept and even approve of the new lanyard policy.  One student, who wished to remain anonymous, reached out to say that she thinks the lanyard policy is a great idea and  is a welcomed change to the school environment,  “This will be a good thing,” this person said. “We are going to have to use them in college anyway, so we should get used to them now.”

Though few students in favor of lanyards are speaking out, it can be assumed there are others who agree with them.  The proponents of the lanyards have numerous  points, and it is true that many colleges require an ID to enter campus, buy lunch, take out library books, et cetera.  By getting used to being responsible and carrying IDs, we will be preparing ourselves for the responsibilities that we will inevitably have to deal with in college, or in other future endeavors.

I feel it is a necessary evil, and though it may not be the most exciting change to the school this year, it is one that has been coming for a long time.