High School Students To Get Id Badges Federal Way Parents Support Idea; Kids Not Sure

Parents say they support a move to improve security at Federal Way High School by having students wear photo identification badges.

The school, which has 37 entrances and exits, is on busy Pacific Highway South, making security an important issue, Principal Judith Seiwerath said.

“I want to be sure I know who my kids are,” she said. “Hopefully it will stop people from walking onto campus that shouldn’t be here.”

The policy takes effect Oct. 28.

With the name tags visible, it will be easy for teachers and others to spot non-students in the school’s hallways, Seiwerath said. Staff at the high school already wear badges.

Parents are supportive, citing student safety as their main concern. As of Thursday afternoon, Seiwerath said she’d received only positive comments from parents.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Parent-Teacher-Student Association President Betty McGlaughlin. She said she wouldn’t mind wearing an identification badge herself when she’s on campus.

Parent Anne Wiese said her two children tell her they feel safe in the classrooms, but not always in its crowded hallways at the 1,200-student high school.

As a volunteer at the school, Wiese said she’s had the same feeling more than once herself. She said students harassed by others would be able to tell who’s bothering them with the name tags.

“I said to my kids, ‘Do you want name tags or do you want uniforms?”’ Wiese said. “I’m willing to give anything a try to make it a better learning environment.”

Naturally, some students disagree.

Junior Kyle Perry doesn’t think the badges will prevent problems or keep strangers from sneaking onto campus, and he says the idea makes him feel like he’s being watched.

“We shouldn’t have to wear name tags to go to school,” Perry said.

Valentina Gulchuk, a sophomore, said she didn’t mind the idea. But she said most of her classmates probably feel differently.

The plastic-laminated photo badges are the same Associated Student Body cards that students have been issued for years. Those cards are used for student admission to sports and other school events.

Now, they’ll be issued with a removable metal clip so that students can attach them to clothing. Students also are permitted to wear them around their necks on a necklace or chain, as long as the badges are displayed above the waist.

The badge idea originated with administrators and staff at Federal Way High, but school district officials also support it. “”From a safety and security standpoint, it’s a great idea,” said assistant superintendent Tom Murphy. He said there are no plans to take the idea districtwide.