Kennedy Middle School

By: Jason Barthel, RPS 205 Chief Information Officer

Safety at our schools only works when everyone is a part of it.

That’s what our students told us. And they’re right.

But across RPS, that shared commitment doesn’t always look the same. 

In some schools, ID expectations are enforced every day. In others, not as consistently. In a few buildings, only about 20% of students wear their IDs daily.

That inconsistency weakens the sense of safety and connection we’re working so hard to build. Because the truth is simple, safety only works when everyone is a part of it.

So how do we move from isolated effort to unified action?
How do we make wearing an ID not just a rule, but a habit that reflects pride, trust, and responsibility?

Let's start by coming together. District leaders, principals, teachers, staff, families, and students.
Wearing your ID might seem like a small thing, but it sends a powerful message. 

It helps staff and security know who belongs in the building. It allows us to respond faster when something’s not right. And it builds the kind of trust that helps schools feel calm, connected, and safe.

But it only works if we do it together.

That means setting consistent expectations across every school, every classroom, every entry point.
It also means helping students and families understand why this matters, not through enforcement alone, but through communication and example.

When we’re united and consistent, our students see it. And they follow our lead.

Because safety isn’t about control, it’s about care. It’s about belonging and responsibility.

If even one school lags behind, we all lose ground. But when every school commits to the same simple habit, we send a powerful message that we’re one district, one community, working together to protect what matters most.

Because when students feel safe, they focus more, learn better, and dream bigger. 

That’s the goal.

Wearing an ID may seem small, but it’s a visible symbol of a community that looks out for one another.