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Student IDs
As part of Roanoke City Public Schools’ continued efforts to provide a safe learning environment, all students in grades 9-12 and all students of any grade level who use school transportation will receive student identification badges (IDs) for the 2024-2025 school year.
PK-8 Students
Students who use school transportation in preschool through 8th grade will scan their ID when entering and exiting the bus. This will ensure that students board the right bus and will allow parents/guardians to track their student’s bus.
Visit the Transportation Department webpage for additional information about how students will use their ID to enter and exit the bus, and how parents/guardians can track their student’s bus.
9-12 Students
IDs for students in grades 9-12 will have additional benefits. High school students will be able to use their IDs to:
- Board and exit the bus
- Check out library books at their school and through Roanoke Public Libraries
- Mark their attendance
- Log in to specific computer programs
- Pick up their lunch
- Check into the nurse
- Enter school-sponsored events
- And receive a discounted rate through Valley Metro
ID Procedures & Expectations
Each ID contains the student’s first name and photo. IDs are color-coded based on the student’s school. IDs do not contain a personal information such as full name, address, or social security number.
Students who are in preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade will have their ID placed in a protective sleeve on the student’s backpack. Students in grades 2-12 will receive a breakaway lanyard and protective sleeve for their ID. Breakaway lanyards release when pulled, which keeps students safe.
Students in grades PK-8 are expected to bring their ID every day to enter and exit the bus. Students in grades 9-12 are expected to always wear the lanyard around their neck during school hours.
If a student loses their ID, families should immediately contact the school, so the ID can be deactivated. The first two ID replacements will be free. Additional replacements must be purchased for $5 from the school.
Families are asked to help students keep track of their IDs and make sure they bring them to school every day.
FAQs
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Why has RCPS implemented student IDs?
Student IDs are part of the security and safety enhancements that RCPS presented to the School Board in June 2022. The Board requested additional information on the enhanced capabilities of the badges and for a phased approach. RCPS piloted the IDs at select schools in summer and fall 2023 to test the ID’s functionality and effectiveness.
This rollout will allow RCPS to continue to gauge the effectiveness before eventually rolling out full functionality to all grade levels.
IDs allow school staff to quickly identify anyone not authorized to be in a school, to know students on a first-name basis, and provide students with easy access to school services and added community benefits, such as accessing Roanoke Public Libraries and Valley Metro.
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When will my student receive their ID?
IDs will be provided to students within the first month of school.
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What information is stored on the student ID?
Each student ID contains the student’s first name, picture, and school name. The IDs also digitally hold the student’s ID number, which can only be used to access programs authorized by RCPS.
Badges can be used by a scanner located on RCPS school buses to log the time and location where a student boards and exits the bus. This allows parents/guardians to track their student’s bus. The IDs cannot be used to track a student’s location if they are not aboard a bus.
No personally identifiable information (PII) such as name, grade, campus, or social security number is digitally stored in the student ID.
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How can I track my student’s bus or be notified if it is delayed?
Visit the Transportation Department webpage for more information on downloading the Zum app, how student IDs work on buses, and how families can receive important notifications related to their student’s bus.
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Who is required to wear an ID?
Students in grades preschool through 8th grade will receive an ID if they use RCPS transportation.
All students in grades 9-12 will receive an ID because high school students will have additional benefits beyond transportation.
Students in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade will use their ID card attached to their backpack. Students in grades 2-12 will wear their ID on an RCPS-provided breakaway lanyard around their neck.
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What if my student forgets his/her ID?
It is important that all students wear their student ID every day when they attend school. Students in grades 9-12 who forget their ID will be issued a temporary ID for the day. Bus drivers will manually swipe in students in grades PK-8 who forget their ID.
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What if my student loses his/her ID?
Students can receive up to two free replacement IDs each school year. Additional replacements cost $5 and must be purchased from the school.
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Does my student have to use the RCPS-issued lanyard?
Student IDs must be visibly worn around the neck, except for medical reasons, using a breakaway lanyard provided by RCPS. Students in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade will have their ID attached to their backpack.
A breakaway lanyard comes apart if the lanyard gets pulled too hard or caught on something. This helps to prevent accidents, so if someone tugs on it, or it gets stuck, the lanyard will safely detach.
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What community benefits are available by showing a student ID?
Students in grades 9-12 can use their ID as a library card to check out books at Roanoke Public Libraries.
Students may also show their ID when boarding a Valley Metro bus to receive a discounted rate of .85.
RCPS is currently working with the City of Roanoke and community partners to add additional community benefits.
