About School Safety
Addressing safety concerns in our school requires a holistic approach, one that considers the entire school environment and the well-being of every child. It's not just about the physical security measures like safety cameras, automatic lock doors, or key fobs, although they are important. Having a School Resource Officer (SRO) in every building is something I support. Despite some opposition, I believe SROs offer another layer of defense and, more importantly, they foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement.
For instance, my younger cousin serves as an SRO at a local middle school. I've seen firsthand at school events how students, both current and former, gravitate towards her, sharing how much they miss her presence once they move on to high school. This connection does more than just enhance security; it builds trust and community within the school, showing students that police officers are not the adversaries they might see portrayed elsewhere.
But safety extends beyond just physical measures. The emotional and mental health of our students and teachers is equally critical. That's why integrating mental health professionals, guidance counselors, social workers, and school nurses into our schools is vital. They help create a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels safe, not just from external threats but also from internal struggles.
Moreover, addressing food insecurity is another aspect of creating a safe environment for our students. Knowing that many of them rely on school for consistent meals, we need to ensure that no student goes hungry. This means considering food security as part of our overall safety plan.
To truly make our schools safe, I believe we need to establish a school safety task force composed of law enforcement, teachers, mental health professionals, and school community members, including students and parents. This task force would explore all aspects of safety, from physical security measures to emotional support systems, ensuring every student feels secure and supported from the moment they step into school.
