When advisory was introduced, it was thought to be a good way to help students. It is supposed to help them with doing their homework, and they can ask their teacher for help. The basic idea sounds quite good. However, it is in the nature of the common student to avoid school as much as possible. So it happened that numerous students dodged this additional period and extended their lunchbreak. It was pretty easy since most teachers did not use attendance lists to see who was in their classes. But these days are now over.

Last Thursday, principal Matthew Hewitson announced that starting the week of Feb. 9 , every classroom will have a scanner, which will be used to scan the ID’s of the students that come to advisory. The staff of Lincoln now has to log in to a network, where the data of the students will be collected. The teachers will be able to see the students’ schedules and send them to classes in which they have a grade lower than a C. They can see the GPA of their students as well as the time stamp when the ID gets scanned as the student checks in to an advisory class. Thanks to these scanners, it has become possible to prevent students’ frequent dodging of the advisory period.

Also, students are now required to have their card with them every day. This rule has always been in place. With the new scanner technology, this rule will now be better enforced. If you do not have your ID during an advisory day, teachers can refuse to let you into their class. In the worst case scenario, you will get an unexcused absence. Students who lost their ID are able to pick up a new one in the Student Services for free this week only. After that, the IDs can be purchased for $5.

Lion Tales asked teachers what they think about the new system. Most of the teachers like the new system. Miss Katemopoulos, better known as Miss K., told us, “I love it! I think it makes all of us more accountable, students and teachers.”

Mr. Oshiro was also quite happy about the new technology, but he had slight concerns as well. He said, “We want to know if they go to the class that is the most useful for them. The only downside is the money. These scanners were pricy.”

Students are a little bit more concerned about the new technology. When Lion Tales asked some abou their opinion, we got answers like “I do not like it. It feels like jail,” from junior, Joel M. Additionally, some are uncertain about what the future will hold. Lincoln junior Leonardo Da Costa was looking forward to seeing how this system will change the school when he told us, “So far I do not know what to think about it. I have to see where it goes. It is still too early to give a final opinion.” The next weeks will show how the school and the advisory process will change.