One of the newest policies at Lockport Township High School are lanyards that the students, staff, and visitors have to wear around their necks whenever they are inside either campus. The visitors have been assigned lanyards upon entering the building for years, the staff started wearing them last year, and now they are being worn by the students.

Students can even be punished for not wearing one and it is strictly enforced. Like absences, not wearing your lanyard can result in detentions and even suspensions. The first two offenses are warnings, the third results in a detention, and any more will result in social suspensions being issued, according to East Campus Assistant Principal Tom Kurzawski. Those who don’t have their lanyards have to go to the dean’s office and get a sticker that they must wear in place of their missing lanyard, or they have to purchase a new one. Kurzawski also says that the offenses and consequences “follow our discipline system, similar to the dress code or anything else.”

“The idea for the lanyards came from a security expert who came here last year and looked at all the areas of the school and it came down to security in terms of identification. We started with the faculty wearing them last year and the goal all along was for the students to wear them. It’s a great thing for identification and the students may not realize it. It’s as much about the lanyards as the ID [as they are color-coded for students, staff, visitors, and substitute teachers]. Many schools our size have gone to this policy. Initially, it’s going to be different and something to get used to, but, I think everyone sees the benefit,” said Kurzawski

Most students view the lanyard policy with indifference or have gotten used to it. Freshman Jimmy DiCaro is among these students.” I think it’s a good idea that they have the lanyards because I can tell who is a student, a visitor, a teacher, but I think the punishments for not having one are kind of strict. It does help in a way because it lets you carry around your ID, lunch money, and your info.”

Freshman Matt Mahalik, one of the students opposed to the lanyards, also gave his opinion. “I really don’t like the lanyards because they’re uncomfortable and I feel like they’re more of a distraction than anything because people are always going around and pulling them off [other kids]. I think the punishments should happen, but I think they’re a little severe sometimes.  A 30-day social suspension for forgetting your lanyard isn’t right. Everyone forgets stuff from time to time. [The administration] acts like it’s such a big deal but it’s really nothing. I don’t think it really does anything except ensure our safety; I’ve never seen the lanyards actually being useful. You just wear them.”

As the school year continues into its third month, students continue to adjust to the new policy. It seems clear that while students see the security purpose in the lanyards, they have different views towards the lanyards; some like them, some are indifferent to them, and some dislike them. Unfortunately for the students who dislike the lanyards, complaining will do nothing as the administration shows no signs of backing down on the policy. As Mr. Kurzawski says, “it’s something to get used to.”