It is easy to get a little nervous at school. The problem many students, parents, and school employees are having is that the increase in nerves does not have to do with finals or presentations, it is about the possibility of a school intruder. Semi-sporadic school shootings have occurred throughout modern history, but since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, at least 239 school shootings have happened, killing over 130 people, according to the New York Times . Some say that gun violence in schools is even becoming an epidemic.

Starting from the beginning, there have been nationwide changes in school policies that hope to prevent shootings. This includes counseling and training in behavioral interruption and perception, especially for elementary school teachers. The idea is that more accurate ways of recognizing potentially dangerous behavioral patterns will identify students who may need more help to succeed in the classroom, and not be pushed to dangerous acts upon themselves or others. Central Kitsap School District (CKSD) added five new counselors to their elementary schools during the 2017-2018 school year. The district website states that:

“Our students come to us with diverse needs and challenges. Counselors help ensure students receive the support they need to be successful.”

Officer Scott Wilson of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s office mentioned that there is a Student Resource Officer (SRO) at Olympic High School (OHS), and according to Joe Vlach, the Director of Operations for CKSD, the district plans to add another to every secondary school. The new Central Kitsap High School (CKHS) and Central Kitsap Middle School joint building and Klahowya Secondary School (KSS) will be getting one each for sure, however the district is still debating adding one on its own for Farview Middle School. Vlach says that the students at OHS have been surprisingly welcoming and warm to Mark McVey, their SRO, going as far as electing him as their graduation speaker after just one year on campus. The district hopes that these resources will encourage a positive attitude between students and law enforcement, and create a personal tie to maintaining good behavior.

Along with offering more help to students, CKSD schools are also implementing new lockdown procedures. The district deployed the ALiCE (A-alert, L-lockdown, I-inform, C-counter, E-evacuate) procedure in 2017. ALiCE is considered an ‘options based’ protocol, giving multiple ways to evaluate the safest response to a danger. This differs from old protocol, which had all students and staff lock doors, close blinds, and stay hidden, regardless of proximity to the threat. Vlach says that this was in response to drive-by shootings that were more common in the past, but are massively impractical when the threat is within the school walls. Matthew Clouser, Assistant Principal at CKHS, says that CKSD staff were trained in ALiCE protocol over the summer.

Such protocol is only part of a plethora of new solutions, including modifying how visitors enter buildings. According to Vlach, all CKSD elementary schools are getting enhancements to improve student safety, including construction of main entrances and security cameras. Cougar Valley Elementary moved their main parent-pickup and visitor entrance doors around to another side of the building to ensure that office staff can see every person who enters the building. Most schools are also experimenting with different ways of locking the interior and exterior doors, with options such as tall bluetooth-keyed locks and special magnetic strips. With construction occurring at a majority of schools in the district, CKSD is taking advantage of the opportunity to make the foundation of the buildings more secure.

These ideas about our future safety are only comforting in retrospect. While in the classrooms CKHS has now, there are still situations to worry about. Katherine Devnich, a History Teacher, AVID Elective Teacher, AP Coordinator, and Highly Capable Coordinator at CKHS, says she feels comfortable about lockdown procedures, but wishes there were ways to get more safety tools in the classrooms for the time between now and when students are roaming the new building.

“I think there are tools that can make are classes safer and we should be implementing those now. I understand we are going to have many upgrades in the new building but we aren’t there and we need to be safe now,” said Devnich.

The overall vibe feels safe, though. Both Clouser and Devnich, and senior Susanna Terry say that they feel generally safe, and the staff feels comfortable with lockdown procedure. Students, on the other hand, feel that their knowledge of ALiCE is lacking. The district is working to prepare students in age-appropriate ways (kindergartners and high schoolers are able to process much different things), but that does not mean it is coming as quickly or effectively as it should. Due to not being educated by her teachers, Terry feels that not every student even knows what ALiCE is.

“To be completely honest, I feel undereducated on ALiCE procedures, and in the case of an emergency I would follow my instincts first,” Terry said.

And emergencies do not always equal a shooter or direct threat. Being close to town, CKHS has gone into lockdown for occurrences such as local robberies or threatening notes. CKSD does its best to inform parents that a lockdown is happening, and why. Not only do they do all-calls to parents and staff, but they also post on social media and try to update their website if possible in a timely matter. According to Clouser, the school determines when to go into lockdown with help from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and with advice from district officials. For example, a toxic spill at Bangor would put many nearby schools on modified lockdown to prevent the breathing of contaminated air, but there would be little reason for KSS to take action.

As for drills, they are the best thing the district can do to ensure quick and effective response to dangers. It is not always easy for students to take something that they know is fake in a serious manner. While there is often chatter and a relaxed feel during a fire or earthquake drill, following recent events, lockdown drills have remained fairly quiet. There are teachers at CKHS that are noted to having students who talk during a lockdown drill lay on the floor for a few minutes to represent the consequences of letting in on your location while in hiding.

Parents and staff commonly express the sadness surrounding frequent lockdown drills, largely because they were not necessary only a few years ago. Vlach says that he is not sad per say, but just adjusting the skills and attitudes to reflect the times around us. He reflects on the times when students practiced for bomb drills and air strikes back during the World Wars and the Cold War, and though it is unfortunate that the times call for increased safety, Vlach says we should just focus on preparation and making sure the automatic reflex during an emergency is the right one. But, as with everything in education, staff and districts must adjust with the times to ensure student success to the best of their abilities. The largest takeaway is that there is no threat too small to be reported. For every student’s safety, short and long term, do not be afraid to talk to a teacher or administrator or call 911 if need be. Your name will not get out and you will not be recorded as a ‘snitch.’ If you see something, say something.

If you or someone you know is struggling with dangerous thoughts towards themselves or others, please remember that there are options.

National Suicide Hotline (24 hours): 1-800-273-8255

Trevor Project (LGBT+ support, 24 hours): 866-488-7386.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

For immediate danger, always call 911