During the first wellness Wednesday lesson of the year, students were told about new policies that will be implemented. One particular policy caught students’ and staff members’ attention: ID’s are to be worn by students and visible at all times. According to Moco360, new Superintendent Thomas Taylor has said that “the district had work to do when addressing safety.”
After several safety incidents occurred during last school year, including two bomb threats and one gun threat, “Superintendent Taylor told the board that there’s a ‘renewed emphasis on school safety,’” according to Moco360.
Staff were made aware of the policy before students came back to school. “We were told day one of preservice, but not given any implementation instructions. And still haven’t received any instructions on rules or consequences,” social studies teacher Christopher McTamany said.
During the first wellness lesson of the year, teachers presented a slideshow to students telling them about the new policy and giving a rough date in which the policy will be put into action. Students also were meant to receive a lanyard and card holder from teachers to wear their ID’s in.
Students will be required to have their school-administered ID on them and visible at all times during the day. Other high schools in the county have already implemented this new policy. Students from Poolesville were informed in a letter from the principal on Sept. 29 that part of the new policy would be to flash their school ID at security when entering the building in the morning.
In a community message sent on Sept. 8, students received the following information: “As part of this system, students will be required to display their ID upon entry into the school at the start of the day and during late arrival. Additionally, students should be prepared to present their ID at all MCPS-sponsored events.” Principal Douglas Nelson said.
Although the policy is mandated through the county, each school has adapted their own approach to bringing the policy into the building. Currently the policy has not been put into action here, and there has been no given date for when the policy will go into action. “To ensure a well-coordinated approach at Wootton High School, a workgroup has been formed and is currently developing our specific approach. I will continue to share information regarding this initiative including the official start date so please continue to monitor the Community Update,” Nelson said.
None of the community messages after the one sent out on Sept. 8 have had any details regarding the new policy and how or when it will begin to be put into action. The school year has already reached halfway through the first marking period without the policy being implemented. “I think if Wootton really wanted a shot at it being fully effective, it should’ve started at the beginning of the school year,” Kohli said.
