Safe School Visitor Policies

Table of Contents
Code of Conduct
Check-In
Classroom Visits
Public Events
Unauthorized Visitors
Visiting Reasons
What is FERPA?

The safety of children should be the most important element of your school. To ensure a safe learning space, your facility should implement in-depth yet easy-to-follow visitor policies.

Enforcing your policies ensures a safe learning space for your students.

Each school or district will have different rules for visitors. However, there are some similarities that any school can put in place.

We've previously addressed designing name tags for school security and the benefits, detriments, and ethics behind tracking students with RFIDs. Please read these articles for additional information on improving your school's security.

Code of Conduct for Visitors in School

Generally, your facility will have a code of conduct for visitors. These rules for school visitors should match your current safety policies. You should have basic policies that are easy to understand. Ensuring your code of conduct is straight forward and available means visitors can follow them without incident.

Some of these policies may include:

• A member of school staff will accompany any visitor while they are on-campus (if available)
• Visitors may not interrupt classes in session or coordinate with a teacher ahead of time to observe
• Visitors may only enter and exit your facility through the main entry
• Visitors must always wear a pass while on-campus
• Visitors must check-in or register their attendance with front office administration
• Visitors will be subject to security screening (if available)
• Visitors must present a valid form of identification
• Visitors will not take part in nor encourage any illegal activities

School Visitor Check-In

We recommend requiring visitors to register with your front office. This allows your administrative staff to track who is on-property and for what length of time. Registration should be standard for any educational institution to ensure a safe facility.

Information collected at check-in may include:

• First and last name
• Any classroom they are visiting
• Date of visit
• Check-in/out time

After signing-in with your facility's front desk, you should provide a school visitor pass. Instruct guests to wear their pass at all times while on-campus. Visitor passes allow other members of staff to identify allowed guests. Administrative staff should then ensure that all passes are returned at the end of a guest's visitation.

Classroom Visits

Parents may want to sit-in and observe an in-session class. Coordinate parents with associated teachers ahead of the parents' visit to prevent disruption. Entering a class unannounced or without warning causes unwanted and unnecessary distractions. You should establish rules discouraging interaction from visitors. Unwanted interruptions disrupt regular class proceedings and hamper the class's lessons.

Public Events & Organization Meetings

If your facility hosts public events, you will most likely not want to register every attendee. These could include parent-teacher organization meetings or open-house events. Requiring sign-in for every parent or visitor unnecessarily slows down processes.

Distributing numbered tickets, disposable wristbands unique to your school, or using skin-safe hand stamps are better alternatives if you feel you need the extra screening. Since many school events since COVID-19, including graduation ceremonies, are held in smaller groups or not at all, you can also improve morale with customized items like name tags,

title="Shop Graduation Yard Signs at Our Custom Signs Store" href="https://www.customsigns.com/custom-yard-signs/graduation" target="_blank">grad signs, ribbons and more!

If your school has the budget set aside, reusable name tags may be used. However, you will need to prepare for some of your badges to either be returned damaged or not returned at all.

Security staff should still enforce regular school safety procedures during public events.

Unauthorized Visitors

If someone ignores your code of conduct, you will need procedures to enforce your policies. Most schools encourage staff to report unauthorized individuals to the principal or other designated administrative staff.

If your school keeps security staff on-campus, you could instead direct concerns to them.

In the event that an unauthorized visitor refuses to follow your policies, you may need to contact local law enforcement.

Reasons for School Visitors

Your staff should understand why specific guests visit your facility. Parents may want to observe their child's class or classes. Donors could want a tour to ease any hesitations in contributing to your facility.

Understanding the reasons visitors have helps you in showing the best and most relevant side of your school.

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act allows parents to access educational information. It also allows some rights to disseminate personal information at their discretion. But, once a child turns 18, the rights transfer over to them from their parents. Find more information on FERPA at studentprivacy.ed.gov.

Name Tag Wizard is the best place to find badges and photo IDs for visitors to your school. From teacher name tags to reusable name tags, find templates and designs you need for your staff.

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Think of everyone that represents your company, small business, or any other defined group as ambassadors of your brand. Hired for their knowledge and abilities to help your organization succeed, well-designed name tags will help these employees, volunteers, and others make their best first impression and inspire meaningful conversation between staff and guests.

Name Tags Build Brand Identity

Creating a memorable company identity is at the core of every successful business. Branding and company recognition often begins with that first face-to-face introduction where names become a key component of this introductory conversation. Name tags and badges that include your company's logo that include your company’s logo will immediately link your employee’s name and face with your business, reinforcing your brand and identity. Be sure your team’s name tags are free of scratches, faded text, or other imperfections so their professional best is proudly on display!

Name Tags Encourage Personal Interaction

Once you’re introduced to someone by name, you’re both more likely to feel an immediate level of comfort and approachability. And whether your business has a few employees, hundreds, or even thousands, personal interaction goes a long way toward making everyone feel that ‘We’re all on the same team!’ and are working together toward a common goal. For volunteers and other guests, visitor name badges are a wonderful way to make them feel welcome and a part of the interaction.

Name Tags Inspire Personal Expression and Confidence

If your business is one that allows a bit of freedom with personal name tags, they can be a terrific way to learn a fun fact or two about the person wearing the badge while increasing a bit of self-confidence along the way. Perhaps a name tag could display a museum guide’s favorite exhibit. An airline employee’s badge may include the location of that once-in-a-lifetime trip. Or a name tag could include a restaurant employee’s favorite food. The creative possibilities are endless!

Name Tags Display Status, Promotions, and Growth

Name tags offer a terrific way for new employees to quickly recognize others and their respective roles within the workplace. In addition to learning who fulfills which job, specialized name badges are wonderful ways to highlight those well-deserved promotions and other avenues of growth within an organization.

Name Tags Provide an Added Level of Security

When everyone is required to wear name badges, including employees, volunteers, and guests, it is easy to identify others at a glance to be sure they have permission to be where they are – and especially easy to spot someone not wearing a badge who should not be in a specified area.

Whether yours is a corner bakery, the neighborhood’s favorite pizza parlor, or a multinational company, name tags are ideal for associating your respected employees with your valued guests and potential customers.

Do you have a badge from that part-time job at Blockbuster? Did you get a badge during the internship at an elementary school that confirmed you wanted to be a teacher? Perhaps you have a badge from working at the Honda dealership while putting yourself through graduate school. Every person has their own path in badges.

Explore some of the popular name tag milestones that shape our customer’s lives:

• First Job

It could have been making pizza, waiting tables, or answering phones. Everyone starts somewhere. This badge was made with your name on it. The little restaurant brand that sits on the edge of those plastic name tags represents the time you received your first paycheck.

• First Promotion

The small line of engraved text under your name takes on a whole new meaning with your first promotion. This part of your badge might have indicated that your role changed from “Customer Service Representative” to “Supervisor.” Maybe you became an assistant manager or finally moved to head chef. With each distinction comes more responsibilities and a sense of pride for moving up within your company.

• Photo ID for School Orientation

Many people step across the threshold to college life with a photo ID bearing their school’s name. You have completed high school. You searched for a school that met your geographic, academic, and financial needs. You filled out the applications and got accepted.

With the snapshot, printed ID and lanyard bearing your university’s colors, you were ready to start a whole new level of classes and stage of life. You might remember your college photo ID as your pass to everywhere you went. It was always with you in the library, that dorm room, and the dining hall.

• First Internship

 Before entering your field as a full-time employee, you might have started as an intern. Whether it was paid or unpaid, it was your test run in the environment where you hoped to spend the rest of your career. Sometimes, it’s an affirming place where you decide that this is what you are truly passionate about. For others, it’s a way to find out a path you do not want to pursue any further. Either way it’s one stop in your journey.

• First Work Conference

When your company starts investing in your career development, it’s another time to celebrate. Progressing in your field is a big deal. As you head to the tradeshow, networking event, or work conference, you represent your company. You bring your expertise and business attire. With a magnetic badge protecting your professional clothing, you are ready to put your best foot forward.

• First Job as a State-Licensed Hairstylist

Everyone who has put in the long hours to complete cosmetology school, studied for the exams and received their license, knows the hard work it takes to break into this field. And once you got a job at a salon, you found yourself on shampoo duty and shadowing other stylists before getting your own chair. When you’re wearing that blingy badge that shows off your name, it’s game on. You’re ready to build that client list!

• First Day of Residency

There might be a photo ID or badge lingering in your stack of student loan paperwork. You might notice it each month when you go to pay off the debt that helped you get to where you are in your medical career. Becoming a physician has many critical phases and remembering the uncertainty and excitement of your first day as a hospital resident can help keep you motivated.

• First Political Campaign You Volunteered for

Whether you dream of running for office one day or are passionate about your local candidate, being an active participant in an upcoming election can be inspiring. It is always interesting to remember the issues at stake and reflect on elections that were won or lost. Whatever the outcome, you hold on to the fact that you defended what you believed in and tried to make a difference.

Over the years, many of us store up a legacy of old name tags. If you gather them together to consider where you’ve been and what you’ve done, you get to see a timeline of your life. IDs and name tags aren’t just for showing our name at work or school. IDs and name tags often become keepsakes, reminding us of how far we’ve come and motivate us to go farther.

When to Spend a Little More on Name Tags

Are you purchasing name tags for executives and long term employees? You should definitely go the extra mile and order badges that will represent your top employees and your company in the best light. We offer full color UV printing on plastic and metal name tags. This allows you to feature color-matched company logos, plus you can add 2 lines of custom text for each staff member's name and position. Our fancy name tags feature a beveled edge and frame that adds durability and style.

Certain businesses can afford to add sparkle to their name tags! If you're ordering name tags for a salon, jewelry store, fun boutique or similar company type, order bling badges. Our rhinestone framed name tags are available with full color printing or engraving and are designed to highlight your staff members' names with style.

If you have an important company event, trade show or conference coming up, our high-end name tags are your best option. These badges represent your company name and employees in a professional way.

When to Save Money on Name Tags

Other situations call for affordable or basic name tags. When hiring seasonal or temporary employees or heading to a company event, more affordable options are ideal. Our affordable name tags are still produced with high quality materials, but they're marked at a lower price because they feature basic customization options.

You can order gold or silver name tags with 2 lines of text and your company logo for $7.95 per tag. (These are available in plastic and aluminum.) Our magnets add an additional $2.00 to each tag, but if you choose a pin backing, you can save more money. We also offer quantity discounts. Click here to order our $7.95 1" x 3" logo name tag.

If you're looking for name tags for seasonal or temporary employees, our small 1-line name tags are the perfect choice. Make sure store associates and staff are represented with simple text-only name tags that feature their name. There are several color choices available.

Reusable Badges for Visitors & More

Looking to keep track of visitors to your campus or building? We have reusable name tags that allow you to easily write names and visitation times in dry erase marker or chalk. You can keep track of who is on your business grounds at all times by ordering affordable dry erase or chalkboard name tags. We can even customize them with your logo or school mascot!

Also, instead of ordering "Hello My Name Is" stickers each time you have an event, you can order reusable visitor badges. These are available in the classic red and white and will allow you to write and erase names for many uses. No more stickers to tear off and throw in the trash after they're used.

Our Unique Name Tags

Also, see our unique offerings. We have leatherette name tags and cool shapes to keep your individualism and branding in place. For restaurants, boutiques, schools and more, you can find unique name tags for your staff. Our UV printing and engraving provides limitless customization options that will help you represent your company and employees in the best way possible.

Let Us Help!

If you have questions about our name tags, or need help placing an order, contact our Customer Focus Team now! We will be glad to assist you.

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Key Specs for Each Type of Name Tag

Which Businesses Should Order Bling Badges?

Help Using our Design Wizard

Many schools, from kindergartens to colleges, require that students and personnel wear some form of ID at all times. There are various types of IDs available, including photo IDs on lanyards or clips, cards with radio frequency identification chips (RFIDs), and wearable devices that replace physical badges.

It may seem like schools are simply updating their ID policies and security systems. Using photo IDs provides another layer of protection to help prevent strangers from intruding on school campuses. Digital IDs track who is in attendance and allow students to make various purchases, such as lunches or school supplies. But although new IDs offer convenience, students, parents, and teachers may feel less secure knowing the increase in potential risks.

When a chip is a necessity to students – allowing students to enter dorms or buy food in the cafeteria – some might consider privacy to be jeopardized.

Setting Limits

Schools now are able to gather extensive data about attendees. With new IDs, institutions have access to more student information, such as photo databases, attendance records, and students’ physical locations.  But how much information should schools be allowed to collect about students? Are enough safeguards in place to prevent schools from sharing this information with outside parties?

Some limitations for using new technology are already in place due to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws. FERPA laws are designed to keep student information, such as educational records and other student information, private. These laws prohibit third parties from accessing student information.

However, educational institutions are still able disclose certain student information. Schools can disclose information that it deems “not harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed,” according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Photo IDs

Student photos can be considered directory information, according to FERPA Guidance from the US Department of Education. A significant concern among parents is that directory information can be released to outside organizations without parental consent. Sharing this personal information is not considered an invasion of privacy.

Parents and students can choose to notify schools in writing that they wish to opt out of directory information disclosures. The question then becomes whether or not parents and students are aware that personal information may be shared. Are they aware that they have the right to opt out?

Online photo directories can pose problems as well. When student photos are used for IDs, images may be stored in an online directory. While school websites post policies regarding student photo ID usage, there is no guarantee that the policies will be upheld.

Additionally, even though there may be ways to further restrict privacy settings for these photos, students may overlook or not even realize that photos are part of an accessible directory.

Digital IDs

Apple recently developed student IDs that are part of wearable technology. These digital ID chips are stored in i Phones and Apple Watches. According to Edsurge.com, digital IDs will be used this fall at Duke University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Alabama.

With new ID technology, more information sharing is possible. The tracking used in RFID devices and wearable technology reveals specific student locations. Certain types of chips even have the capacity to gather information during times when students are not in class or even on campus.

The technological capabilities of digital IDs have even more potential for invasion of privacy. This type of data collection could be used to evaluate and predict student patterns and behaviors.  Some feel this closer look into students’ private lives is invasive, unwarranted, and even illegal.

Should every on-campus activity and location pattern be accessible to student institutions or technology companies developing these IDs? Or anyone else? Is an institution-imposed location or monitoring time limit enough to prevent schools – or third party technology developers – from accessing personal information regarding the physical location of each student?

Administrators, parents, and students may be unaware of how personal information could potentially be obtained when implementing new ID policies and procedures. While student safety may be the overarching goal for new photo policies and IDs with digital tracking, students’ rights to privacy and safety could be significantly threatened. Without the proper safeguards in place, photo database use and chip technology can be hazards to protecting student privacy and safety.

Resources:

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-06-06-apple-s-new-digital-student-ids-raise-questions-about-security

http://www.naceweb.org/public-policy-and-legal/legal-issues/ferpa-primer-the-basics-and-beyond/

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/mndirectoryinfo.html

Some schools have already implemented the use of RFID tags, and the idea of tracking someone's location is far from new, but should this technology be used to track your kids? This post will cover the pros, cons, ethical concerns and the potential health risks of using chips to track students at school.

First, what is a RFID tag? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Device. These chips can be placed in ID cards and clothing and they transmit a unique serial number via radio signal to an electronic reader at the school's entrance.

What are the pros of using RFIDs to track kids at school?

• Tracking students' location on campus aids in safety, because teachers know whether a child has shown up to school or not.
• Location tracking can save time each morning. Roll call is replaced by technology, which saves time for learning.
• School funding is based on average daily attendance, and if a child is checked in with their RFID, they're accounted for and the school will receive funds whether they are in their desk or not.
• Location tracking can cut down on truancy. This technology makes it harder for kids to "fly under the radar."

What are the cons of using tracking devices?

• Many who oppose the use of RFIDs say that they treat kids like cattle, and that they're unethical.
• If the chips are not encrypted, it is easy to clone a card and impersonate a student, or to skip school by having a substitute card.
• Where the use of radio frequency is pervasive, potential health risks are heightened.
• Those who oppose student tracking say that it is all for financial gain, and that students are no more safe than they've ever been.

Some schools have gone as far as adding RFIDs to student clothing. Parents, administrators and other officials may argue that this is a good solution for smaller children, but for middle and high school students it is crossing an ethical line. Also, the tracking chips do not work off campus, they must be within readable distance, so once a child is no longer on campus, they're not being tracked. For older kids who care about their privacy, this is good, but it has sparked debate about the validity of using RFIDs. Are they REALLY for safety, or for maintaining funding?

As far back as 2004, schools began using tracking chips. Although the use of RFIDs in schools is still uncommon, it's not new technology and it may become more popular as school violence becomes more common. Many students are already being tracked academically and behaviorally with smartphone apps. As technology continues to quickly evolve, so will the potential loss of privacy. Do you support tracking chips being added to student ID cards?

Resources:

https://www.wired.com/2012/09/rfid-chip-student-monitoring/

https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/can-schools-require-students-to-wear-tracking-chips/

http://www.teenink.com/opinion/school_college/article/612978/Problems-with-School-IDs/

Name Tags were a controversial topic for the public observing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s attendance of the Royal Ascot. The Royal Ascot, an annual horserace with prominent attendees, takes place in Berkshire, England near Windsor Castle. The public eagerly watched this event as it was one of the earliest outings for the royal couple since their recent nuptials.

The Royal Ascot commenced on June 19^th and continued until June 23^rd. Anticipation for how the new duchess would behave and what she might wear superseded the excitement of which horse was mostly likely to win. While Accidental Agent, Poet’s World, Merchant Navy and Without Parole all had stunning performances, many onlookers focused on the duchess.

And just a bit of that focus centered on a name tag, the one tiny detail that was absent from Meghan’s off-white Givenchy dress.

What’s in a Name (Tag)?

Oval name tags are a familiar add-on touted by Royal Ascot attendees. While Meghan held her name tag in her hand, she did not pin it to her dress. The absence was notable as many members of the royal family typically arrive at this event with name tags pinned to even the most fashionable garments.

Royal expert Duncan Larcombe told BAZAAR.com that everyone at the Royal Ascot is given badges for security. Oval name tags are a helpful tool for designating who has access to a certain area, such as the royal box. The tags include someone’s title with inscriptions like “HRH the Duchess of Sussex.”

Daily life for the general public may not involve wearing fascinators and reclining in royal boxes. But name tags are still a staple at conferences, political events, parties and in the workplace. These indicators provide helpful information for ordinary events, such as a title, office department, and country of origin or military ranking.

Are Name Tags a Requirement for Royal Protocol?

Following protocol is a royal responsibility. It demonstrates propriety and the proper dignity that accompanies being a part of the British Royal Family. However, according to the BAZAAR.com interview of royal historian Marlene Koenig, wearing a name tag at the Royal Ascot is not required by royal protocol.

"Wearing [name tag] pins has nothing to do with protocol," Koenig told BAZAAR.com. "Protocol is for official, diplomatic, state events, [including] where you sit, when you enter, etc."

While protocol demands strict adherence to certain rules, wearing name tags is presented as an option for some significant occasions. Name tags worn for special events, like the Royal Ascot, can feature color combinations such as purple and white for royalty, or red, blue and white for Britain. A full-color name tag may represent a certain country as well as a company, organization or school.

Prince Harry & Kate Wear Their Pins

Wearing a name tag is not a requirement. The Queen herself abstained from donning one. Other royal family members fulfilled public expectation by wearing their tags, including Kate Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge appeared in a white lace dress that, unlike the dress of her newly acquired sister-in-law, featured a name tag pinned over her heart.  Prince Harry was also observed sporting his upon his suit lapel.

Perhaps whether or not one wears a name tag is merely a matter of personal preference. Perhaps Meghan Markle was thinking of protecting her clothing. Maybe a magnetic name tag would have allowed Meghan to preserve her dress and participate in the same manner as the Prince and Duchess of Cambridge.

For your next big event, you may have an option of whether or not to wear a name tag. You may be wearing a fine business suit at a trade show, rather than taupe dress to meet Irish President Michael Higgins, as in one of Meghan’s more recent outings. As you make your choice about wearing a name tag, consider what members of the royal family have done in the past. Kate Middleton chose to wear a name tag and Meghan Markle refrained.

Are you a Kate or a Meghan?

[Updated December 19, 2020]