By Joanna Mendoza
Staff Writer
As parents wave goodbye to their children at the school gates, a single question lingers: Are they truly safe? Ensuring the safety of students in schools is a huge issue that requires an examination of existing measures, including security protocols, emergency drills, and students' perceptions of safety.
Security Protocols
The recent shooting in Georgia showed how important safety measures can be - the school's security plan helped prevent more deaths. A week before the shooting that claimed four lives, Georgia-based safety solutions company Centegix had installed a new panic alarm system at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. When the shooting started, lockdown warnings flashed on classroom screens, prompting students and teachers to lock their doors, turn off the lights, and huddle in the furthest corners of their classrooms.
Simultaneously, alerts went out to law enforcement who arrived on campus within minutes and were able to contain the suspect. Both school and law officials credit the system with preventing more deaths.
Similarly many schools implement a range of security measures to safeguard students. These typically include physical security features such as surveillance cameras, controlled access points, and school resource officers. However, the effectiveness of these protocols can vary significantly between districts and individual schools. In addition, on AVC campus there is a smaller police station next door, and in case of emergencies there are multiple posts around the school that can alert authorities with a button. Schools with updated technology and trained security personnel may offer better protection compared to those with outdated or poorly enforced protocols.
Emergency Drills
At SOAR, Principal Wendi Johnston identifies several crucial protocols that every school should implement: lockdown drills for intruder or active shooter situations, fire drills for quick building evacuation, and earthquake drills, particularly important in areas like Southern California. At SOAR and AVC, these drills are conducted regularly, with staff working alongside AVC to maintain emergency protocols. These practices help ensure that everyone knows their role and the steps to take during an actual emergency. As Johnston notes, "The key reason these protocols are essential is that they build preparedness, reduce fear, and empower students and staff to act swiftly and appropriately during an emergency."
Student Perceptions of Safety
Student perceptions remain crucial for overall school security. Recent surveys at SOAR show encouraging results – 90% of students feel safe within the school environment. SOAR student Julianna Elaine reflects this confidence: "I think I just have that extra sense of comfort in my safety because of the sheriff's office like right there, all schools should have good amounts of security and multiple cars patrolling areas like we have here."
Gathering feedback through surveys or interviews can reveal how students feel about their safety and whether they trust the measures in place. Children and young adults should not feel scared to come to a place where they are supposed to be learning, we need to work harder and more effectively to ensure safety for our students and every school.
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