It has been one year since the devastating shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 people and wounded 17 others. Following this massacre, a new level of awareness surrounding student safety emerged nationally. While it’s frightening to even consider an active shooter scenario, students feel increasingly stressed over this possibility. To address this, PMHS has taken multiple steps to protect the students and make them feel less anxious.

“The most immediate thing we did after Parkland was add camera and buzzer security on campus,” Dr. Cheryl Champ, Superintendent of Schools, said.

This new entrance system was installed at key access points in the middle and high school. Entrances can now be opened and closed by security personnel from inside the building.

“Because of the measures implemented, we are now safer. In the old days, the doors were wide open; it’s not like that anymore,” Mr. Richard Vasami, PMHS security monitor, said.

All visitors are now screened by the security monitor and a computer system that verifies their identity. Cameras are used to scan for possible threats, and the locked doors attempt to deter a possible intruder.

PMHS has also implemented an increased level of police collaboration. Uniformed officers periodically patrol the hallways of PMHS and visit at different times to maintain unpredictability. It is hoped that this presence will discourage threats, and help the police develop increased knowledge of the school’s layout so that they can act efficiently in an emergency.

“Originally, we had patrol cars placed around occasionally,” Dr. Champ said. “Then during the spring of last year and fully this year, both departments committed to having one officer visit each campus each day.”

Despite the great strides PMHS’ security has made, there are still gaps in the disaster response plan that need to be addressed. For example, the phase referred to as unification, which occurs after the solidified plan for lockdown procedure, police response, and containment of all threats have been executed, is often overlooked. After an emergency, students may scatter across Pelham. The administration seeks to find a way to efficiently reunite teens with their families, communicate with surrounding hospitals, and identify all children and staff who were involved in the emergency.

Because only so much can be done by the administration to prevent a dangerous situation, student awareness is an essential part of protecting against a threat.

“Be aware,” Mr. Vasami said. “If you see anything strange or something that makes you question when online, you should bring it to the administration.”

“The role that students play is to speak up. If it’s bullying, don’t be a bystander- intervene: if it’s a mental health issue, there’s something off, something not right, if your friend tells you they’re struggling or you can tell. We hope people know who to go to and take those efforts to go to them,” Dr. Champ said.

The massacre in Parkland, Florida forced schools into action. Though these situations are frightening, it’s important they are addressed through protective measures to ensure student safety.

“Our hope is that through our different programs and protocols that we are proactively ensuring that there’s a safe environment created,” Dr. Champ said.