Safe at school?
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- October
- 3
My colleague, Local News Editor Bob Fredericks, has written an excellent “post”:http://localdesk.lohudblogs.com/2006/10/03/another-school-shooting/ today examining the latest school shooting in Pennsylvania, which has left six little girls dead so far.
Bob asks a question we might all want to consider: What precautions does your children’s school take to ensure students’ safety? Do you even know? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006 at 2:36 pm by Gayle T. Williams.
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I feel the safety measures at my daughter’s school is adequate. I feel safe and she feels safe. Adults other than those working in the school are not allowed passed the lobby entrance of the school.You have to ring a bell and be buzzed into the building. Luckily the office is next to the front door so there is no reason for strangers to wander into the building but never say never. It is my understanding that one time someone did gain entrance into the building, the person was spotted an alert secret code word went out over the loud speaker. Teachers were aware of the code but not the students. Teachers immediately took control and classrooms and entire school was on what is called a lockdown until person was aprehended. Teachers appeared to be trained on what to do in an emergency situation. Always room for improvement, now you have me thinking and I will bring it up at the next PTA meeting.
Gayle, what are the security policies are your kids’ schools?
It’s a real challenge to keep the atmosphere in a school friendly and welcoming, and at the same time keep it secure.
I have to believe that if some looney-tune wanted to go into a school and do harm, he/she would be successful a high percentage of the time. It’s sad we have to think this way.
Hi David!
At my sons’ schools, security is pretty tight. At my younger son’s school, which houses only second- and third-graders, visitors have to be buzzed in and proceed directly to the office before going anywhere. And I believe there’s some sort of camera, because you can be tracked if you don’t go directly to the office.
At my older son’s middle school—which is housed in the same building as the high school—there is an office immediately after the front entrance and a guard beyond that, so you really can’t take two steps inside without someone stopping you.
And even though, as a PTA parent, I’m often in the school buildings and folks know me, I still have to follow the procedures for entry. I don’t find that at all bothersome; I would rather they follow the rules at all times, than to let someone in simply because they’re a familiar face.
I do feel that both my boys are pretty safe in school. That’s not to say that the schools are impenetrable, but I’m satisfied with the level of security that I see in place.