Keeping the children safe

There have been 18 incidences where shots have been fired on school grounds to this date in 2018, according to Everytown, an organization that works to stop gun violence in the United States. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. on Feb. 14 became the ninth deadliest massing shooting in modern American history.

Millions across the nation looked on horrified by the senseless killing, with many parents likely then placing themselves in the shoes of those who just a few hours before had sent their children to what they assumed would be a peaceful Valentine’s Day.

Locally, schools have always sought to improve their security, but this event highlights the actions taken by schools to protect students. “There are so many questions when an act of violence like this takes place, particularly on a school campus. It is so disturbing that these occurrences seem to have become so frequent,” Lawrence Woodmere Academy Headmaster Alan Bernstein said in a statement. “We need to be committed to never letting ourselves become desensitized to these tragedies. All children must feel safe at school, wherever they may be.”

Bernstein added that the school has lockdown drills planned and will continue to review their security programs. As is Hewlett-Woodmere, “Please know that our highest priority is the safety and security of the children who attend Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools,” said Kim Parahus, director of facilities, operations and safety in a letter to parents. “The district and each one of our school buildings maintain rigorous safety plans that are updated on an ongoing basis.”

Parahus also included a link to the school’s emergency planning guide, which is available on their website at https://www.hewlett-woodmere.net/domain/41. It covers mass shootings or bomb threats, but also what to do in the case of natural disasters, medical emergencies and environmental hazards. It includes the school’s go-home plan, shelter plan, evacuation plan, lockout plan, lockdown plan and hold-in-place plan. It also says they discourage parents from picking up their students unless directed to do so by the school and that information will be posted on their website in the event of an emergency.

Dr. Ann Pedersen, superintendent of Lawrence School District, said that their schools conduct lockdown drills four times a year to comply with procedures that the New York State Education Department changed last year, and that the Nassau County Police Department provides them with feedback. “Over the years these procedures have been refined,” she said. “In Lawrence we are in the midst of a large security upgrade to all buildings to enhance security. We consider safety our first priority.”

Reluctant to have too much information publicized, Dr. Pedersen did say that these upgrades would increase surveillance and their ability to respond quickly, as well as secure the premises and restrict access to their buildings.

Have an opinion about school security? Send your letter to the editor to jbessen@liherald.com.