
February 1, 2008
Posted by Dan at 12:24 AM
Students at Sioux City's West High School must now carry ID cards with them at school after administrators got tired of breaking up hallway fights. Assistant principal Jacque Wyant says the ID cards, along with several other security measures, has reduced the number of physical fights on school grounds. But the ID cards aren't just for security. The ID cards work in conjunction with the school's new freshman mentoring program and the transformation of a locker bay that was once a popular spot for altercations into a student lounge for upperclassmen.
The cards also contain student privilege information for the school's reward system. West High administration rewards students that earn credits and behave well with "prizes" like extended lunchtime and early dismissal. If a student loses an ID card, the first replacement is free. After that, a student may pay five dollars or do community service in the building to pay for other cards. With the card program, administrators hope to teach responsibility as well as keep the peace. And while students don't always like the badge system, they do enjoy reaping the benefits of good behavior. Thanks to the program's success, other high schools in the area will implement similar programs in the near future.