In the wake of a deadly Florida high school shooting last Wednesday, Hopewell Valley Regional School District officials assured parents that the district has taken all measures that it can to ensure student safety – from locked doors to emergency drills.
“As educators, [the Florida high school shooting] is a tragic reminder of the tremendous responsibility we have to secure the safety and welfare of over 3,500 students in our six schools in a rapidly changing world,” Superintendent of Schools Thomas Smith said in a message to the community the day after the Feb. 14 incident.
To that end, the school district had already taken steps to ensure students’ safety – starting with making the schools accessible only through locked doors at the front entrance, which Smith said are locked at all times.
When students arrive, they enter through designated doors with staff supervision. Parents and visitors must go to the front entrance to be admitted, and then go to the main office to sign in.
Security improvements were part of the 2016 bond referendum. The PA/intercom system is being replaced by a telephone interface that will allow emergency calls and announcements to be made from any telephone in the schools.
The school district’s safety plans are reviewed and revised as necessary with input from local police and emergency management officials, while evacuation, lock-down and active shooter drills were implemented several years ago, Smith said.
Those procedures are reviewed with staff and students in an “age-appropriate” manner, he said.
But the school district needs help from the students and the community, Smith said. The district cannot do it alone.
Doors that have been propped open should be closed, and the person who sees it and closes it should tell a staff member, Smith said. Visitors should not be offended if they are stopped and questioned, because it is for the students’ safety.
For students who may be struggling with mental health issues, help is available, he said. The Counseling Department should be contacted to offer help to any student who needs it.
It is critical that if anyone overhears or sees something that is concerning – in person or on social media – “please notify the police or a school official immediately,” Smith said.
“This tragedy has already led to a renewed national discussion on school safety as well as gun safety,” Smith said. School district officials will continue to work with experts to ensure that everything possible is being done to keep the schools and students as safe as possible.