HC implements additional safety procedures

Following the recent school shootings, safety has become a top priority across the district and nation. Superintendents and administrators have been looking into the issue to ensure buildings are more unassailable. At HC, administrators are working to make students feel more secure and make buildings harder for outsiders to enter.  

“We are redoubling our efforts on making sure every door is closed as much as possible,” HC administrator Brady Thornton said.  

Teachers, parents and students have brought up issues of concern about the multiplex always being unlocked. Doors of the multiplex will remain locked. Students now must get an administrator to unlock the doors to the multiplex if one is entering late.   

“Having the doors locked is not something we’ve done in the past because it’s an inconvenient thing to do,” Thornton said. “We’ve decided that we have to find a way through the inconvenience to make sure that we are safe.”  

Superintendent Manny Caulk spoke about increasing safety at all FCPS schools at a safety conference. Drills and security will be expanded so students will feel safer and know the procedure if an event were to occur. Teachers have also been given new resources where administration can contact all teachers at once through Remind 101. 

“Emergency drills will be expanded to ensure students and staff are prepared to go into lockdown throughout the school day,” Caulk wrote in an email sent to FCPS families.  

Administrators have been looking into new ways to make the building much safer without going over the budget. Principal Paul Little has issued for lockdown drills to happen all three lunches so students know what to do in the case of an emergency. 

“If money wasn’t an issue, I’d like to see our entire building redesigned to where you have a secure vestibule where you can’t get into the main office until you’ve gone through a sally port,” Thornton said. “I’d like to see more long-term solutions as opposed to bandaids.” 

Students have been encouraged to close doors that are open and not let other people in. Students entering downstairs must go to one of the doors in the green hall or enter through the main lobby. 

“I like that they are monitoring doors and keeping them closed throughout the day,” HC sophomore Evan Strobel said. 

Recent events such as the Marshall County and Majory Stoneman Douglass High School shootings have made everyone become more aware of possible incidents.  

“[School shootings] have been happening more often, but I still feel safe,” Strobel said.