By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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UPDATE: School administrators reversed the ban on hoodies one day later. Read the latest here.
ROCKFORD — Students at Auburn High School will not be allowed to wear hooded sweatshirts, hats or any other type of headwear as part of new rules put in place after a shooting on campus this week.
Students were shown a video announcing the changes during their third period class today, and a message was also sent home to families announcing the changes.
If students arrive at the building with hooded clothing or a head cover – with the exception of religious headwear – they’ll be asked to place it in their locker.
“If your head is covered, with any sort of covering, it is nearly impossible to identify who you are,” Principal Jenny Keffer said in the video. “As safety is our top priority, we’re making a change.”
The changes go into effect on Monday.
(story continues below video)
Other safety changes the school announced include prohibiting students from leaving school grounds during school hours, a renewed focus on keeping electronics from being used in classrooms, and a requirement that students actively display their student ID at all times on campus.
“We’re not OK with the violence that has taken place, and moving forward we’re going to take some steps to make sure our campus is as safe as possible,” Keffer said in the video.
State’s Attorney J. Hanley said Thursday that Auburn High School video of the shooting that injured two 17-year-old students was key to making an arrest this week. Three people – Nyreek Williams, 16, and Fraquon Wright, 17, and a 15-year-old boy – were charged in the shooting after investigators matched their clothing and description to what was seen on the video, he said.
Williams and Wright are accused of firing shots at the two students who were inside a vehicle outside of the school. The pair then fled in a car driven by the 15-year-old, authorities said. That car was reported stolen out of Janesville, Wisconsin.
Auburn High School rule changes
Below are three rule changes Auburn High School said in a letter to families will go into effect on Monday.
“• Students will no longer be allowed to wear hooded clothing or any other type of headwear in the building (Except for Religious Headwear).
As soon as students enter the building they should remove the headwear and report to their locker to place their hooded coats/sweatshirts/hats etc in their locker. Non-hooded, layered clothing is still allowed in classrooms (no blankets)
• Students will be denied entry to all classrooms if they are actively using electronics. This includes, but is not limited to cell phones, earbuds/headphones, and any other devices that the teacher has not directed the student to use for educational purposes.
Students are at school to learn and are expected to actively engage in class activities and discussions
Electronics use will still be permitted during lunch hours, and during passing periods.
• Students will be required to actively display their student ID at all times while on campus
Students must display their current (2021-2022 school year) ID on their person at all times while on school grounds.
IDs should be attached to either shoulder, the bottom of shirt, or hung from the neck via lanyard and must be viewable from the front.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.