Starting this year, Cornwall Central High School students are wearing something new to school every day – identification. All students – ninth through twelfth grade – have been issued a student ID card on a lanyard and are expected to wear them daily.

According to CCHS Principal Kathryn Wilhelm, the new rule has not been a problem at all.

“Our students have been amazing,” she said. “Students are being really responsible and understand that the requirement is for safety and identity reasons.”

The students are asked to store their ID securely when they leave school at the end of the day, Wilhelm said. “Our staff has walked students through the daily habit of storing the ID in their book bag when they leave the building, so they know where it is the next morning.”

Students will need to show their IDs for entrance to the building, testing situations like the SATs and PSATs, for sporting events, to get lunch and to take out Chromebooks.

“They will also need to show them to buy tickets to homecoming, prom, pick up yearbooks, really all situations where the identity of the student is really important for verification,” she added.

Students are able to take the lanyards off during P.E. classes, and when they are using equipment in technology classes.

The goal, Superintendent of Schools Megan Argenio said in a letter to parents just before the school year began, is “to create a safer, more secure, and welcoming environment for everyone”.

“This is a common safety and security practice in schools and communities across the country,” she wrote. “Student identification helps staff and administrators, security personnel and emergency first responders quickly recognize individuals who belong in our school community. It also allows us to more easily identify visitors or individuals who may not be authorized to be in the building. We believe this is a small step that can make a meaningful difference in our overall school safety.”