Dickinson High School and Hagen Junior High School staffs are getting new identification badges this year as an effort by both school principals and district administration to keep students safe and staff identifiable.
"No incidents in the schools have prompted this. We just looked at what's happened at other schools in the country and are keeping up with times today," DHS principal Ron Dockter said. "It is something we've discussed with (retired superintendent) Dean Koppelman over the past couple years as a good idea for staff and students in regards to security and just knowing who teachers are."
Both schools have a large number of students and staff, said junior high principal Perry Braunagel.
"When visiting with students, we noticed they wouldn't always know a teacher's name," he added. "Also on the safety side, we want to be pro-active on things and law enforcement has told us how this could help in possible situations for a school such as someone trying to blend in with staff to get into a school."
Lifetouch Photography takes school photos for the district and has a program which provides the badges without charge, Braunagel said.
ADVERTISEMENT
School pictures were taken the week of Aug. 31, but neither principal knows when the badges are expected for staff.
Lifetouch personnel in Fargo said the schools should be getting them within the next week or so and the badges are something new this year.
"I think staff is welcoming it so they can know who is who," Dockter said. "It will be an adjustment and take some reminders for them to always have it at school."
Once the badges are ready, the principals will sit down with staff to go over expectations, added Braunagel.
The badges are laminated and punched so they can be hung around the neck.
"At this point it's just those two schools having this done," Dickinson Public School superintendent Paul Stremick said. "The other schools are neighborhood ones, while with the high school and junior high, it is more students from several areas coming together and not knowing who staff are. I think it's a great idea and pro-active with keeping our schools safe."
