School Safety Measures: Are You Aware of The Options?
In the wake of the latest horrific mass shooting, I find myself asking many questions. I urge you to check out this school district safety measures posted on ABC News.
“So often we hear, 'We can’t afford it, but what we can’t afford is another terrible incident,'" a person is quoted in the video as saying. In two years, it has spent $175,000 on safety measures and plan to add more.
I happen to agree wholeheartedly. I'm no finance guru. I am a mom and want to stay that way. I would be willing to pay to keep my kids safer; would you?
I realize some people have hardships, but the majority of parents in our zip code do not fall into a low income bracket. To put it in perspective, let's run some basic numbers. There are about 1,926 students between the middle school and the elementary schools. Our high school has about 1,446 (with both towns combined). Let's say there are about 2,700 students, total, in our town. If we spent $185 per student, we would have about $500,000. And if we did it for two years, we would have a million dollars.
I think there should no pricetag put on children and I would be more than willing to pay my fair share. Yes, our taxes are high and the budget is always balanced. Perhaps, this year we can put off some anticipated spending and re-budget to put the needs of the children first.
Click this link to see how another district is handling the ever growing safety issues at school. The district is not alone. There are other school districts that have the same protocol or use guards.
What can we expect from our community? We have great practices in place, but we can always improve them. "Know more; do better," right? I think we can reach the expectations of our children.
I ask you to consider these truths before making your final judgement. When we realized cars were dangerous we added seat belts, car seats, and speed limits. When 9/11 happened we revamped our airports and made them safer. We eat healthier to live longer and because we know it's better for us. In life you have to adjust to changes. Our society has changed. We must change. I urge us not to hope and pray it doesn't happen, not to hope and pray someone will come in and swoop us up and fix our problems. It is up to us - the parents - of these beautiful, care free loving children.
Be reminded Newtown, CT, is an affluent community. Friends of mine have said it is very comparable to Southborough. Newtown probably never thought it would happen to them; who would? Someone from another community came in and took it upon himself to reek havoc on these innocent non suspecting teachers, children, and families.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all! While you are enjoying this much needed family time, squeeze those kids tight and tell them you love them. My thoughts are with the families of Newtown, CT whom are suffering the unthinkable, the unimaginable.
Here is another good read by ABC news, which highlights a program called ALICE, which stands for Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuate.
Carol C
6:31 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Here is the link to ABC news:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/12/school-security-one-schools-extraordinary-safety-measures/
Charlene Arsenault
8:23 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Hey Carol - all of the references are hyperlinked right in the blog. Just click on the highlighted words....
Linda
3:59 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU! We MUST make a change! The world has changed. Why can't some people see that? This has happened and will happen again. Why wouldn't we prepare for it? Schools in the KS prepare for a tornado, schools in CA prepare for earthquakes...well we need to prepare for the chance that an unstable individual could potentially barge into our schools and hurt our children. I know there are some people who say "Well, it was an isolated incident, what are the chances of it happening again?" Really? It has become an unfortunate trend and we must prepare for it and put an end to it. Could a terrorist take down another plane? Sure, but given the new safety laws, the chance is slim. Just like you said Carol, once 9/11 hit our safety measures changed drastically. How many more innocent lives need to be taken before we wake up and say "oh yeah, I guess now would be a good time to put more money into school safety" THE TIME IS NOW! The world has changed! Children were dying in car accidents because there were no car seats...they changed the laws and invented car seats...children were dying of SIDS...they changed the recommendations on infant sleeping...children are being murdered in their schools...hmmm what would be the natural progression...ummm...ADD NEW SAFETY MEASURES! Our children can't be replaced...so ask yourselves...is there any price that is too high to take on to ensure that our children are in a safe environment? I know what my answer is...
Rose
10:18 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
I do too. Linda I know what you mean. How do we get people to pay more attention. To get more involved?
DGM
11:28 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012
I agree the world unfortunatley is a scary place and we need to act realistically. Banning all weapons is not realistic law makers have tired for decades and it hasn't happened. There are already weapons out there so we need to again respond realisticaly with an immediate AND a long term solution. make the kids safe NOW and try and make laws over the long term to address it. The last gun ban only covered assault weapons and took 5 years to get through. We dont have that sort of time. Our children deserve us to put aside politics and make things safe for them.
DGM
2:34 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
There will be gaurd in all schools in the future and I will tell you why. It will happen because one of these people that are fighting it and unrealistic will sue the school after it happens again for not keeping thier children safe. That person will do us all a favor even when they are the problem. People arguing against this do not propose a way to kep the kids safe but they will be the same people to sue when the schools don't do anything because of them. The towns will have to do someting because it wil be cheaper to put gaurds in schools than it will to keep paying lawsuits brought forward by people that are the problem!
Carol C
11:43 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
I'm glad to see some talk about the subject. It amazes me that more people are not posting on this. Kids are too precious to not want to do more protecting of them. The point of the blog was to encourage a discussion on what to do next. Like other things that have happened in the past, we have made adjustments. This too is something we need to adjust to as well.
43 year resident
10:19 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Carol - I see you are an advocate for children, which is awesome. Did you hear that at Northboro Town Meeting, article 33 is going to allow cellular antennas to be mounted on schools. They have to get a special permit but once our bylaw allows it I heard it will be hard to stop. Just wanted to give you a "heads up" so if you disagree you could help spread the word. thanks
Carol C
10:53 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
@43 yr old resident. I am interested learning more about it. I am not as on the ball as I was last year. People whom attended the meetings have filled me in a little. Can you email me a copy of the full article that you can get at the town clerks office? Lovinlifeinnh@hotmail.com
Rose
12:30 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
I find it rather interesting what other towns have in place, that are actually implemented, and yet - what are the protocols for this town?
In a town near by there is a police officer who goes between the schools and serves as a deterent to nut cases. Other towns schools are locked at all times, officiers are present at least in the am and afternoon; some all day. Some schools teach the kids to run, or hide quietly, or fight. Some have met with their residents to come up with better solutions, renovated schools. To do NOTHING is a mistake! I do not speak out of fear. I request the towns people to speak up and demand something be done. At best be better prepared. When there was a need for better security after 9/11 we did it. A bigger scale of terror; of terror none the less. I think ever kid is worth making an effort in protecting them.
Carol C
11:07 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Has anyone heard any new updates from the schools? Has the superintendent sent out anything new?
Carol C
4:31 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
And what are we doing for safety? Another school shooting today. Last year this kid had a "hit list" - do you think he will be getting the help he needs? I doubt it. All the more reasons to PROTECT the SCHOOOLS better!
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/high-school-shooting-taft-california-183012601.html
SKK
4:42 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I agree.