This post was submitted from the VBCPS Office of Safety and Loss Control, which is overseen by Richard Ponti, director.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has comprehensive measures in place to provide for the safety of students, staff and visitors. VBCPS utilizes sophisticated technologies, such as closed circuit television cameras, access controls, and intrusion sensors to support safety measures within school buildings. These types of security technologies are important components to school safety; however, it is important to be mindful that they do not address all safety concerns. For example, cameras record incidents and are a valuable investigative tool, but rarely are they a deterrent to acts that jeopardize safety.

That is where attentive school staff is necessary.

It is very important to keep in mind that technology cannot be a substitute for the human element. Supervision provided by adults is critical to school safety. The old proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” is certainly applicable to school safety. The entire school staff; administrative, security, instructional, custodial, secretarial, cafeteria, and bus drivers, all serve an imperative role in keeping schools safe.

VISIBILITY / PRESENCE

During student transition times, having all staff highly visible on duty stations and at classroom doorways is a best practice. With an adult presence, there is an opportunity to intervene and prevent an incident or inappropriate behavior in general.

An adult presence is also critical to building security. Visible staff is an effective deterrent to trespassers who might have intentions to cause harm. It is every staff member’s responsibility to ask a visitor who doesn’t have a visitors badge if they need assistance and escort the visitor to the greeting desk to be properly signed in. Likewise, it is every staff member’s responsibility to ensure that exterior doors are not propped open and remain locked. Although inconvenient, locking classroom doors during instruction and locking unoccupied classrooms and storage areas provides an additional layer of security.

RELATIONSHIPS

The human element also is necessary in building the important relationships that enhance school safety. Understanding that relationships are essential to keeping schools safe, a school climate that fosters positive relationships between students and staff adds another level of protection to the school. For instance, positive relationships lead students to feel comfortable to report safety concerns to staff. Similarly, the partnership between parents and the school can provide a valuable source of information from the community.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Another critical relationship that enhances school safety is the VBCPS working relationship with City Public Safety. The Virginia Beach Police, Fire and Health Departments along with Emergency Medical Services provide invaluable assistance to VBCPS. If a safety related emergency were to occur, the training and emergency procedures that have been developed collaboratively with city partners, and tested in joint exercises, will serve VBCPS well and have a significant impact on the outcome.

Now that spring has arrived, please continue to be vigilant and remember that school safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Tell your friends! Follow us!