THE ECHO

By Jordan Anderson // Reporter 

Are we as safe as we think we are? 

While our school is taking precautions to make it better, such as IDs, tardy sweeps, and the common presence of admin in the hall, safety is not always guaranteed. 

“In a school with 3,600 kids, it is harder to get to know all of them. When you do not know the kids you are teaching, you and your students simply are not as safe,” Algebra teacher Melinda Allen said. “When I worked in the inner-city schools, I typically taught the same kids every year…I knew the kids, and I could notice tendencies and off-behavior. We do not have that here. Arguably, we are not as safe as we should be.” 

When it comes to being in such a big school, teachers and staff members feel as though they cannot connect with students as much as they would like to. S.R.O., Officer Logan said even if you do not realize it, the connection between students and staff is important to your safety. 

“We work with administration about creating these plans, practicing these procedures, and building the relationships with the students,” said Officer Logan. “That’s part of our role, noticing things about students so we can pick up and dismiss possible threats.” 

As violent tragedies continue to occur in the country, it is important to keep our schools safe and secure. Avon has put procedures and plans in place to make sure we are safe, but students such as freshman Ayden Cobbs question whether our practices are as good as they should be. 

“I do not necessarily agree with us just sitting in a corner while there is not supposed to be here, they say lockdown, I am gone. Out a window or door, I do not care, but I am not just sitting in a corner,” said Cobbs. 

While a lot of students have concerns about the procedures, staff members like Officer Logan assure us that the procedures are based on research and keeping students safe.

“It’s been proven that a locked door is going to deter something, like somebody trying to get into a classroom, because they will go to the next easy thing,” Logan said. “However, if you have a safe chance to get out of the building and do so without putting anyone at risk, getting out will always be the best option. Again, only if you have the safe chance.” 

Students and staff are not the only ones with concerns. Allen speaks from experience about parents’ fear of sending their children to schools, especially in a suburb.  

“As a teacher who is also a parent, I did fear sending my kids to school sometimes. However, when they went to inner city schools, I did not get the same fear I did when we moved to a suburb,” Allen said. “This is the demographic where school shootings take place.” 

To be as safe as we can, we need to trust our adults. Trust that they know how to keep us safe. 

“Our goal is to keep you safe, and that is what we will do,” said Logan.