America’s public and private schools are protecting students of all ages by continually adding to campus safety measures. One strategy schools are adopting is that of designing name tags that clearly identify students, teachers and faculty members.
Choosing intentional layouts, barcodes, and pictures that are unique to a school helps identify who should be on campus – and who should not. Learn about the many ways you can unify school photo ID badges to improve security on yours or your child’s campus.
Protecting Students of All Ages
The need to address and improve school safety demands the attention of students, parents and the greater community. School violence doesn’t single out a single age group, it touches the lives of students of all ages. States and school districts are focusing their efforts to improve safety for everyone from pre-k and elementary to high school and college. This endemic problem in schools continues to manifest itself in threats, fights, physical attacks and gun violence.
Many schools are taking steps to combat these threats and improve security measures. Decreasing school violence is a multi-faceted effort that includes everything from making sure students have proper supervision to keeping unauthorized visitors from trespassing on campus.
How to Unify School Name Badges
Adding details to the name tags for your school will assist in preventing outsiders from mimicking your design and attempting to get school access with fraudulent badges. These details provide helpful information about the person wearing the badge. Identify everyone on campus by providing their name and a picture on each badge. Designating a specific badge for visitors helps keep unauthorized persons out.
Give badges a unified look with color accents, lanyards and your school logo. Add a vibrant background color that can be seen from a distance. Using your school logo, mascot and colors also promote school spirit. Customize the name tag shape, color, font and size of the text as you choose a design. Each of these critical details distinguishes the look of an individual school’s name tags.
Some schools are adopting the use of security features like barcodes to better track students. Choosing school safety strategies involves weighing factors such as the school budget, potential efficacy of changes and the ability to enact new initiatives.
Improving Identification Policies
Many local level officials are seeking affordable, low-tech solutions. Those concerned about the cost involved in putting new efforts into action may find that changing identification policies could be a place to start.
Updating name tags has a campus-wide reach. Schools may require students, teachers and faculty members to wear designated name tags at all times. Strict adherence to these policies can keep safety at the forefront things.
Name tags help everyone to know the purpose of each person on campus, such as attending classes, working in the student office or visiting. These can also be used to track attendance and assist with learning names and recognizing who belongs to which department at the beginning of the school year. This added precaution helps address concerns about unwanted visitors on campus. As it is also a visual cue, it encourages peace of mind for school attendees as well as parents.
Choosing Name Tags for Your School
Here is a summary of the ways you can distinguish name tags for your school:
- Same Color and Style of Lanyard
- All Horizontal or Vertical
- Include Barcodes
- Add School Logo
- Include Picture
- Use a Double-Sided Design
- Require Slipcovers
- Design with Color Accents (Stripes or Color Background)
Taking steps to keep fear out of the classroom is important. By improving identification policies and procedures on campus, schools can work toward creating a secure atmosphere and unifying the student body.
Evaluating Other Potential Safety Strategies
Schools are utilizing a variety of strategies to help protect students. Some schools require see-through backpacks and uniforms. Some schools are instituting drug checks background checks. Schools are installing metal detectors, security cameras, panic buttons, and even gunshot-detection sensors.
Communities are increasing their efforts to protect their youth. However, determining the best way to fight violence in schools is difficult. While controversial topics such as whether or not to arm teachers or change current legislation dominate the media, schools are tasked with determining what actions they can take immediately.
By starting with small measures that can be instituted right away, schools may be better able to take action now, establish a safe environment and encourage students to focus on learning.