NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News Public Schools has started its new policy requiring all high school students to wear their student IDs on the bus and school grounds.
The policy took effect Tuesday after school officials announced the change last month.
The policy requires all students to wear their lanyard and student ID -- also called a "T-pass" -- on the school bus and on campus. Also, students who ride a Newport News public school bus to and from school must scan their T-pass as they board and exit the school bus.
If students don't abide by the new policy, they will face punishments ranging from a verbal warning to three days of in-school suspension, according to previous 13News Now reporting.
In 2021, a student died in a shooting in the school’s parking lot after a basketball game. The shooting led to an increase in security including extra personnel and bag checks at the school. There have also been shootings at Heritage High School and Richneck Elementary. In all three cases, police say the shooters were students.
In enacting the policy, school officials said it adds another layer of safety for students and helps identify students in case of emergency.