ID Policy Changes at Leyden?

ID Policy Changes at Leyden?

Jamie Du Brock, Social Chair

A new practice in the lunch lines has students who are carrying their IDs moving to the front of the line, while those without IDs wait at the rear. The process, which has frustrated some students, was initiated by Dean of Students Mr. Mike Grosch as part of his growing concern that students don’t comply with the existing ID policy.

Mr. Grosch explained the reason for the change: “The lines in the cafeteria were super long because the kids who didn’t have their IDs would use the keypad to type in their ID numbers, which holds the line up. If you have your ID, it’s a quick scan, and you’re done.”

East Leyden Senior Kristina Cosic claimed that the new practice hasn’t been easy from the start. “When the school first started re-enforcing this rule, there was a lot of confusion between the students and staff,” she said. “A lot of kids thought they couldn’t get a lunch without their ID. After everything got settled and we learned to bring our IDs, everyone was getting their lunch as they were supposed to.”

Mr. Grosch explained, “Most kids believe that just because they are paying cash for their lunch then they don’t need their ID’s. However, the Leyden Handbook states that all students must carry their ID’s and show them upon request, and kids aren’t carrying them, which is why this is becoming a problem.”

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Dean of Students Mr. Dennis Byrne makes the ID look good.

Thus, Mr. Grosch is expanding the lunchroom ID requirement, moving toward a school policy that requires visible IDs everywhere. He said, “I personally think students should have them visible or clipped on their shirts. Most schools in the district do it, and I believe even the staff should be wearing their IDs.” He further explained that such a policy is, and has long been, a widespread requirement in other schools and in corporate offices. Although there are not any formal discussions happening right now, Mr. Grosch said he plans to submit the ideas for consideration.

East Leyden Senior Dominick Santana expressed his opinion on such a policy: “I don’t feel as if it is necessary. Students have gone years without bringing their IDs, and the school has been running just fine.”

In contrast, Cosic said, “I think the new trend of wearing our IDs around our necks isn’t a bad idea! We have always had to use our IDs for lunch but now that the school really wants to enforce these rules, it’s a smart idea to give us a way to always have them on us.”

Currently, an ID is required for getting on the bus, getting a lunch, and checking in and out books in the Nardini Library. It costs $5 in the Dean’s Office to replace the lost one you were given at the beginning of the school year.

So should students be wearing their ID’s around their necks?  Most of the teens in the school believe they should not, but will it help if they do? Grosch said the lunch lines are moving faster already, a lot of kids are stopping in and buying ID’s, and they aren’t writing as many bus passes anymore.