School Security & Safety

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-23-2006
School Security & Safety
16
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 2:56pm

Last week I had to pickup DD early from high school. Since she was being dismissed, I had to sign her out (and meet her) at the clinic. I entered the front door, walked down one long hallway then turning down a couple more, passing many classes. Nobody questioned me even though many adults had seen me.

I am very curious, what is the access like at your high school? Given the recent news (and again today) of school shootings, how can schools not protect themselves better. I know for a fact, anyone at anytime could enter our high school and nobody would stop you.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-1999
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 11:06pm
I didn't know the principal personally, but a few of my educator friends did.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Wed, 10-04-2006 - 2:08pm
I cannot believe that after the Columbine incident several years ago, your schools don't have more of a "lock-down" approach!!! We live in a small community with the school's senior high population of about 750. ALL doors are locked and have security cameras. No one can enter the school unless the office unlocks the doors. We have approximately 20 cameras on campus to monitor as much of an area as we can. We also have a security guard at the school's entrance for the full day. I just find it so hard to believe that school's aren't locking their doors!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2005
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 8:02am

lisa,

sounds more like a prison than a school. I wouldn't send my kid to a school like that.

i'm really fed up with all the money that is spent and the freedoms that are being sacraficed in the name of security. all that has been done hasn't provided any security, only the illusion of security. if i am going to go into a school or anywhere else that has "security measures" in place like metal detectors, and armed security guards, with the intent of killing people, then why would i hesitate to walk through the metal dectector with my gun an shoot the security guard when he tried to stop me?

the only suggestion i have heard regarding school security that seems like it might be effective to me is to allow teachers to carry concealed weapons, and you know that isn't going to happen....look at how much of a fight it was to allow pilots to have guns.

so drink eat and be merry for tomorrow we die.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-1998
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 12:04pm

Honestly, I'm not sure.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 1:16pm

I wanted to update that I got a recorded phone message from the District yesterday advising of their security and safety procedures, basically asking that people check in the office, kids take their "drill" lock downs seriously, and report any suspicious behaviour/people. They indicated that they were working with police to improve safety measures.

Something tells me they may have had a ****few**** phone calls recently, LOL. Anyone else heard from their school/district since this rash of school violence incidents? I do agree more has to be done to improve safety, but also don't want my kids walking through a metal detector every day. If they had to do that, then I would think it's time to homeschool.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 10-06-2006 - 12:21pm

I know only one set of doors is open but we have a pretty open campus. There is no way they could require the kids to eat at the cafeteria-simply not enough room so they are allowed to leave campus at lunch. They share classes with the community college for dual credit so kids are in and out going and coming. Some votech classes are actually at the other high schools so they shuttle kids back and forth. They also bring in middle school kids who are gifted enough in math to be at the high school for class

So, even though doors are locked, I think its safe to assume the kids arent ALWAYS exiting the main entrance and they wouldnt think twice of holding the door they are exiting from open for someone coming in. Plus, its just a lot of hustle and bustle BUT these are things that make the education part of what they do strong-its a tough call sometimes!

We do have security full time this year(PT last)These are all cops or former cops. We had a lot of violence that began outside of school that carried into school-literally, an arguement would start in a neighborhood and the parties would continue all the way into the school where it would get physical(more often girls than boys)All parties tend to be of teen age(some are usually drop outs)

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