After the devastating loss of 17 lives in Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, students across the United States are not only mourning, but are also fearing for their own lives. Schools, including WS, have faced the aftermath of the shooting, including a great sense of fear and heightened security.
A handful of schools in Fairfax County became victims of copycat threats, making students feel on edge the week following the shooting so on edge that many students did not attend school.
The events in Parkland and Fairfax County rippled through the community, causing the heads of parents, students, and teachers to turn towards the people in charge of WS’s security: the administration. Because a large group of students gathered outside for a walk out protesting gun violence soon after the Parkland shooting, an immediate security solution was needed. The administration’s response to the walkout included a controlled event, more police resources at the school, and a plan for the future. Even though all of this sounds great, the possibility of an attack remains, as Parkland has taught us. It is difficult to know where to look for ensured safety after something so horrific has happened. Yet, more than once, WS students proved that they must not live in fear when they walked out in stride and brought up their concerns to the WS administration.
Changes within WS could make an actual difference when it comes to the safety of students. Leadership students addressed their concerns with principle Mike Mukai head-on in a meeting pertaining to school safety. Some felt strongly that they were not being heard correctly. The goal of the students of WS is not to create mass panic or to blame anyone. We simply want a few changes that would make us more prepared for anything that could happen. In this meeting with Mukai, students put all political, gun-based opinions aside to share ideas that they thought would help make school a better environment for everyone.
The discussion centered on effective communication, locking doors, and the roles of everyone in emergency situations. One measure now in place is locking all outside doors after 8:10am and unlocking them during the seven minute passing period. Any late comers must enter near the main office.
Sparta also presents its own challenges. Students are unsure of what to do if any emergency occurs during the passing period. This issue was specifically brought up by a leadership student when school board members visited the school. We have so many fire drills, but rarely has a fire actually happened. If school curricula changes with the times, why can’t safety measures? Drills also happen during the most convenient times- when students are in class. An intruder drill between periods might take away some confusion if the event were to actually happen.
As for communication, it seems as though the only people debriefed on school safety were leadership students, and it is impossible for them to educate every person in the school. A seemingly obvious solution would be for the administration to utilize our school emails. Granted, not everyone checks them, but it is a secure way to update students on new security measures or any actions the administration is taking. This would also eliminate communication barriers between parents and children.
WS students are willing to work with the school administration to ensure that school is a safe space for everyone. By working together, we can live up to our school motto: Spartan Strong.