NHIS has implemented new consequences for students not wearing IDs during the school day. Students without IDs will be given detention, and if those students don’t go to detention, they will be given in-school suspension.
IDs are important for the safety of the students, staff, and the entire school. They ensure that only students from the school are on campus, identify students within the classes and on campus, and differentiate between high school and middle school students. High school students are required to have their IDs visible at all times, while middle school students must wear their uniforms and have their IDs visible at all times.
According to Kamuela Werner, a middle school teacher at NHIS, he has seen an improvement in ID usage at the school. “More students are wearing it. When they see teachers and school leaders, they put it on appropriately.”
Other teachers have offered thoughts on how the enforcement of the consequences occurred.
“I have a lot of questions from a teacher’s perspective, such as like, what are our new responsibilities in terms of carrying out this new policy? And why were those not communicated to us ahead of changing the policy itself?” said Kele Sensei, the Japanese Language teacher.
Todd Sibley, social studies teacher, held a similar sentiment “I don’t like how it was just dropped on the teachers. Nobody had given us any heads up and so weʻre the ones that are dealing with the irate students.”
Despite the perspective that the ID rule and the consequences are new rules, they are not.
The 2014-2015 Student and ʻOhana Handbook states: “Student IDs are mandatory for all students (7-12) and must be worn with the lanyard around your neck or clipped to students’ clothing . . . Because the identification of all individuals on campus is a safety issue, students who do not have a student ID and who refuse to purchase another will face disciplinary action as aligned with Chapter 19.”
“The ID policy has been a policy that we have had for many years. It’s just that only now, we’re really trying to crack down on people wearing them, and so it’s not something that’s new,” said Patricia Ohashi, a middle school teacher.
After-school detention will be held in separate places for middle school and high school students. Middle school detention will be held in the middle school dining area. As of this article’s writing, the high school’s location is still being decided upon.
The first day of detention will be Monday, October 21, 2024, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. According to leadership, students could engage in reflective activities or other activities to help them understand and/or change behavior during detention.
Most students feel as having their ID in their pocket hanging out or having it attached to their backpacks should count as having their IDs on. “What happens if people just yank it off our necks? Or with the clips, what if people steal it?” Said Lola Ahue, a freshman at NHIS
Various students have suggested some form of positive reinforcement for wearing their IDs on lanyards. Student Government is looking at pins representing the various school organizations a student is part of.
“The idea is that your lanyard could have pins if you are on the football or other sports teams. Have a pin if you are part of Robotics, Agriculture, Band, etc.; this way, students can show their pride in what they are participating in,” said Robin Kitsu, Student Activities Coordinator.
If students did not get their first ID this school year, they can go to the front office to get one. According to the Student Handbook, any replacement ID will cost the student $5.
As the school continues to enforce the ID rule, the goal is to ensure a safer, more positive school environment.
“Wearing an ID is important because it’s for safety measures. At least if we see your ID then we know you are where you’re supposed to be,” said Sibley.
