Most everyone knows the phrase “Better safe than sorry,” but what does that look like in a high school? What safety precautions should be taken?

Keeping students safe is every school’s number one priority. From making sure every student has an ID to hiring competent teachers. Safety has always been a measure needed to be taken, but how far is too far in some people’s minds?

IDs have long been a regular precaution taken by the school, even decades back when it was Central and Memorial. However, the two separate schools implemented the ID rule slightly differently: Central students had to have IDs visible around the neck at all times, while at Memorial, IDs just had to be present but not necessarily visible. Now that the school is one, the rule seems to lean towards Central’s way of making sure students wear their IDs and have them visible. Those who forgot their IDs can obtain a colored wristband as a temporary measure for a day.

To some, this rule is a necessity. Elkhart High School senior Kathryn Sater is among them. “The IDs don’t really bother me,” she states. “It’s like wearing a mask: It’s prevention, not punishment.” Attempting to explain why so many are disgruntled, Sater adds, “I think people are looking for something to protest, but it is a simple request from the school administrators, and it benefits the students and staff and their security.” It could seem like an extra unnecessary measure to some, but it is helping keep students and staff safe. 

Kathryn Sater doesn’t seem to be the only one who sees the importance of IDs. Mrs. Holly Hogan, and Elkhart High School teacher, points this out, too. “I believe that having and wearing IDs at school is a matter of safety and security. With the IDs, staff and other students are able to see that someone is supposed to be on campus and they are either a student, teacher, support staff, or administrator. Guests also wear an ID when they check in with the office,” Hogan goes on to say. “They allow us to know who is supposed to be in our school and can limit potential threats.”

Wearing an ID isn’t the only measure the school has taken; security guards are constantly patrolling the area. With students now walking outside to different buildings, security guards are on the lookout for potential threats. But, Sater seems to think that security guards aren’t enough. “I think passing through buildings is a big security issue,” she asserts. “Anyone who has bad intentions could see a bunch of high schoolers walking, and it’s a big target!” Hogan, on the other hand, hadn’t considered that as an issue. “I am not outside during the time students are going between classes,” she admits. “I supervise in the building, but from what I have heard, I know that there are security staff outside and there are outdoor cameras so the right things for safety are happening.” Reflecting on this more, she adds, “I would be interested to hear more from students on how they feel about that.”

No matter how secure things are, there are always ways that safety can be better provided for all students and staff. Sater believes even more should be done. “I do not think the school is doing a good job with security,” Sater claims. “While it may annoy some students, they should check IDs anytime anyone enters the building. When I pass through the ETI building and main building,” she shares, “I notice there are some people without IDs going in and out of doors. It would be so easy for someone with bad intentions to slip through!”exclaims Sater. Thus, Sater’s point begs the question: Is only checking IDs in the morning really effective? What if someone did come into the building during the middle of the day? Being able to check at all times if students have their IDs in an effective way may seem annoying, but it could be a much needed precaution.

Hogan wishes to see a different precaution added. “ I think in the Health and Public Safety Building we could probably use a few more security cameras. It would also help to have more security staff, as well, so they can monitor hallways, assist in making sure students are safely getting between buildings, and such.”

Having a safe environment where students–and even teachers–can come and feel no threat is what transforms a good school into a great school. Only after that can teachers get down to the business of educating their students.