Kyle Dandrea, Staff Editor
Along with the new year, new changes are being made within Newtown High School. Starting January 2nd, the security department added new rules to the school security protocol in which all visitors to NHS must be buzzed into the school and checked into the security desk.
The desk in front of the main entrance has been moved in order for the security guards to have full view of the doors. After the start of the school day, everyone must press the main door buzzer in order to be let in by the guard on duty. Visitors have to give their name and purpose of visit. However, if it is a parent dropping off something for their kid, they will be buzzed through the first door, but not through the second and leave the items in the vestibule.
“We want it so that the kids feel safe being here. Some students may not feel secure, they may think something is going to happen, so this is our way to make them feel as secure as possible,” NHS Security guard Ed Alicea said.
Although it may take some adjusting to, there is confidence with the outcome of the new system.
“I think this is one of those things that is hard to transition into and is awkward for people in the beginning, but I think it is important and certainly a nice way to be secure,” NHS Interim Assistant Principal Matt Childs said.
Students, however, do not seem to mind with the adjustment.
“I feel like it’s a great improvement to our school. I feel safer and more comfortable and not have to worry about anything else,” NHS junior Jon Sherman said.
In the future, there will also be a collateral policy regarding visitors. When visitors enter the building, they will hand their keys to security before proceeding to their destination.
“If they have bad intentions, but we have their keys, they can’t go running out of here,” Alicea said.
The ultimate goal for NHS and security is to make students feel safe while in the building. Even if it takes some adapting, it is important for Newtown High School to be secure and ensure safety to everyone within the building.
Photo credit to www.bluewolf.com.
