With the spectra of violence in our schools seemingly an ever-present threat – and a devastating reality for some – it’s a given that each tragic incident that makes the news these days forces schools to take a long, hard look at how effectively they are protecting their own students.
Massapequa High School is no exception. At of the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, the district implemented new measures in the form of highly-visible student identification cards and more restrictive exits and entryways at their campus to complement the solid security program already in place, according to Superintendent Lucille F. Iconis.
“Security must always be in the forefront; with everything going on coupled with our open campus, it becomes a concern for us,” she said. “It’s not that this is an unsafe place; but we are living in a very different world than ten years ago, and we can always improve.”
According to Massapequa High School Principal Dr. Barbara Williams, the individual IDs feature the name and picture of each student and must be worn in plain view on a yellow lanyard around their neck at all times. Failure to comply will result in restrictions on both entering and exiting the building, which is now only possible via one closely-monitored doorway.
In addition, each ID has a unique bar code that Dr. Williams noted might figure into future plans that district is mulling over.
“If we had a scanning mechanism, we might be able to scan each ID on its way in and out,” said Dr. Williams. “Plus, we’d like to eventually incorporate the bar code into other uses, such as checking out library books,” she said.
Dr. Williams noted that the decision to utilize lanyards was made because they provide a quick visual on an open campus, a privilege that the district does not intend to revoke.
“We’ve never considered closing the campus, because 98 percent of my students do the right thing,” said Dr. Williams of the students who leave during lunch or free periods. “They’re responsible, so why would we challenge that?”
Senior and Student Government President, Danielle Bianco said that all the ID program needs is a period of adjustment before it becomes universally accepted.
“A lot of people don’t like change. This is the first time we’re doing anything like this, and in the beginning the students were frustrated,” she said. “The argument is that if they forget their ID they won’t get into school; but you never forget your phone or your books, so it’s just something to get used to,” continued Bianco.
Alexandra Dillon, senior and Student Government Vice-President, said that she’s always taken security for granted, but that the benefits offered by mandatory IDs far outweighs their inconveniences.
“I’ve never not felt safe in the high school; it’s a nice neighborhood and a nice district,” said Dillon. “But hearing about what happens in other school districts makes us more aware of what could be happening here, so IDs make sense,” added Dillon, who keeps her ID in the car so she won’t forget it.
Senior Nelson Gomez, Editor-in-Chief of Massapequa’s student newspaper The Chief, also agreed that the high school was already a safe place; however, Gomez feels that the new ID lanyards are not a continued step in the right direction.
“I feel that these measures, while good-intentioned, are simply not effective,” he said. “For example, there have been instances where people have gotten in with modified IDs – putting stickers on their pictures – or walking in without their lanyards altogether,” said Gomez, adding that there is not a better, more immediate way to identify students, and any other measure taken would be too slow.
Despite the misgivings of some of the students, the new security program is a work-in-progress, in combination with existing security patrols and constant research into improved safety programs, Massapequa High School’s dedication to keeping kids safe has won acclaim from parents district-wide.
