School safety is a hot topic nowadays–and it should be. The tragic events that occurred at Columbine High School and Sandy Hook Elementary have sparked a firestorm of debate on how to protect schools and students from outside threats in a more thorough manner. In response, many schools across the United States have adopted new security protocols and have beefed up their existing security protocols by adding increased video surveillance systems, locking doors and requiring ID badges for visitors and staff. These new security features are designed to put both students and staff at ease and to deter possible security breaches caused by intruders or other visitors to their campus.
One example of a school district taking action is Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools in Raleigh, North Carolina. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson and Associate Superintendent Dr. Eric Cunningham explain that the new security procedures are beneficial to better learning, “student learning is dependent upon school safety. This is a responsibility that we take very seriously. Ultimately, we are charged with making every effort to ensure that our students and staff feel safe and protected in our schools.” Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools makes sure its schools are safe by locking all doors (including the main entrance doors) and by requiring staff and visitors to wear ID badges at all times. Visitors are required to state the purpose of their visit as well as display a valid photo ID. It is the hope of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools that its increased security and visitor control will help its schools give students peace of mind and allow undisturbed learning to flourish.
Schools should be able to provide a safe learning environment for their students. In fact, there are close to 100,000 public schools in the United States and many of them are either ill-prepared or not prepared at all for a variety of outside threats. That is why the measures of school districts like Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools are very important; they set an example to the rest of the country’s school districts that is easy to follow. Whether it is requiring ID Badges to be worn or locking all entrances, it is important to take the small, but necessary steps towards protecting schools and keep students and staff safe from the dangers of the world.
Photo Credit: University at Buffalo