As the second semester begins at Aliso Niguel High School, the staff is preparing to roll out new ID stickers for students with free periods. While the exact colors haven’t been revealed yet, the staff say the changes will make it more difficult for students to create counterfeit stickers and skip class under false pretenses.
The upcoming update is part of the school’s ongoing effort to address a growing issue: students duplicating stickers to falsely claim they have a free period. Free period stickers, issued to freshman, sophmores, juniors and seniors with approved schedule gaps, allow those students to wait at school during hours or leave campus. However, misuse of the system in past semesters has led to confusion and disruptions.
A member of the school’s office staff said, “We update the stickers every semester because students have found ways to replicate them. By not releasing the design in advance, we’re making it harder for anyone to plan ahead and create duplicates. This ensures that only students with actual free periods can use them.”
Teachers at Aliso Niguel High School are optimistic about the new system, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity and security on campus.
One teacher explained, “Having new stickers each semester makes it easier for us to verify when a student actually has a free period. This way, we know who’s supposed to be where and can cut down on students skipping class.”
Another teacher highlighted how the secrecy surrounding the updated designs adds an extra layer of security: “If the students don’t know what the new stickers will look like until they’re issued, it’s much harder for them to counterfeit them. It’s a smart move by the administration.”
Among students, the planned sticker update has sparked a range of opinions. While some appreciate the effort to maintain fairness, others view the new process as an inconvenience.
Hannah Martinez (12) said, “I think it’s a good idea. It’s frustrating when people take advantage of the system, and this will help make sure everything is fair.”
However, some students are less enthusiastic.
Tyler Nguyen (11) commented, “It’s kind of annoying to have to wait for the new stickers, but I get why they’re doing it. If it stops people from faking free periods, then I guess it’s worth it.”
This approach also gives teachers and administrators a more reliable way to track attendance and address issues quickly.
“When everyone has the same updated sticker, it becomes much easier to identify when something’s not right,” a teacher noted.
While the sticker update is primarily aimed at preventing dishonesty, it’s also expected to improve the overall atmosphere on campus. The reduced ability to skip class will encourage students to attend their scheduled periods, leading to better engagement and accountability.
