Last year Friends’ Central installed ID card scanners on almost every door on the campus. This was just the first step in their new student ID card system. Each student has their own personalized ID card which includes their name and face. These cards have become a source of stress for a lot of students and staff. For the students, this stress comes from the constant loss of their ID cards and worries that they may pay up to the required monetary fine to get a new card.. For the staff the stress derives from the students always losing their cards, and are often forced to perform various tasks to make up for what would usually be activated by a simple swipe of a card. They are forced to take hours away from their lives searching up students names and hearing annoying bells. We decided to interview them ourselves to find out what their opinions are on the cards
How do ID cards affect you?
Marian Petrarca (Administrative Assistant to the Middle School Principal)
It’s a wonderful thing as long as the students don’t lose them or forget them and they do feel safer. And it should make parents feel their students are in a safer environment. There always has to be someone at the desk because of the students that lose or forget them.
Maryclaire (Dining Services)
ID cards are very good when everybody cooperates, and, as you all know, when people do not have their cards–and I have two prime examples in front of me–it stops the flow of traffic because I have to type in names.
What do you have to say to students that don’t bring their ID cards?
Marian
I say, “Where is your ID? Please remember it.” I don’t ever yell. If you have to go building-to-building there is no one to buzz you in.
Maryclaire
The first time I’m very understanding. The first time I give them the benefit of the doubt thinking that perhaps they left it at a parent’s house, left it in the car, just an error. Second time, I question did he lose it? The second week when they still don’t have it I suggest that they purchase a new one. And when I know they’re just blatantly not bringing it I get a little frustrated, and sometimes, ANGRY.
- Interviewer: Do you really count the weeks that kids don’t have their card?
I do. There was supposed to be a penalty for not having your card. Like a 3 strike system and we didn’t follow through with that. If you wore your ID card the way it was intended you have less chance of forgetting them and losing them. If you put them in your locker there is no possibility of leaving them at home.
- Interviewer: What was the penalty for a triple strike?
I think it was going to be, unfortunately, a monetary fine and that’s not fair all the time. I always thought you should be the last to be served perhaps if you’re blatantly forgetting it. Not that you two would know anything about that.
What tips do you have for people who forget their cards to not forget them?
Marian
I would say, “I know you don’t like to do this, but you should wear the lanyard around your neck or put it in your school bag at night so it’s ready in the morning for school.”
Maryclaire
Wear it. And at the end of day just put it in your locke. You have less chance of losing it by taking it home, leaving it in someone else’s house, breaking it, or leaving it in your pocket. If you keep it in your lanyard, I know it’s not totally cool to wear it, but you have to. And I think that’s actually a rule that you have to be wearing your ID card at all times.
Do you think the ID Cards are a good idea?
Marian
Yes.
Maryclaire
I do. I know it’s a security thing. Would you rather type in your number? I know you’re never not gonna have to have an ID card.
- Interviewer: Do you think it’s faster to scan the card or type it in?
Maryclaire
It is faster to scan the card, especially when everybody has the card.
In conclusion, even though ID cards can sometimes be an annoyance for staff, they think they were a good idea. They also said that the whole problem could just be solved by students being more responsible with their ID cards. They also shared some extra tips on how to protect your card (and your monetary balance).
by Leo Kaufman ’24 & Theo Schenck ’24