Throughout the past few years, the definition of the word “safe” has been thrown into question.  Differences between safety and relative safety is now a common concern.  Through these challenging times, Schreiber has been forced to adapt and find a balance to maintain students’ sense of security, safety, and trust within our school.  

 Our school has been making strides towards a safer and more comfortable learning environment.  This Sept., the school declared a “one door entrance” policy, stating that all students may only use the newly renovated front entrance as the one way in or out of the school during school hours.  This topic has been fairly controversial among students, forcing the question of convenience versus safety.  

“While the new door policy definitely makes my life as a student more difficult, I can understand and appreciate the school’s effort to ensure the right people are in the right places,” said sophomore Kate Kerpen.  

Other students can’t seem to find the benefit to this system.  

“It is definitely difficult to expect us to ignore students trying to get into the school, especially when we are friends with them, or are stuck outside ourselves.  Some of our classes are on the other side of the school, and when we only have five minutes to get to class, walking all the way across campus to get to the main entrance is very inconvenient,” said sophomore Sadie Feingold.  

Schreiber also makes it a point to check student IDs every morning before the students are allowed into the building. Schreiber staff stand at the front and only entrance to check student ID’s to ensure they are Schreiber students.

 “The school checking our ID’s every morning makes me comfortable that no one unwanted is able to enter the building, and I’m very grateful

 for that security.  I think it definitely teaches kids a sense of responsibility.  Kids know to have their ID on them, and they always come prepared,” said sophomore Susannah Abell.  

Another safety rule enforced by Schreiber for years is that no underclassmen are allowed to go off campus during the school day.  Juniors and seniors are permitted to leave, but are required to show their ID cards as a form of identification to ensure they are the only ones leaving school.  If a freshman or sophomore student is caught attempting to leave, they will be threatened or even punished with detention.  

Schreiber is working to maintain a safe environment in ways other than combatting a potential active shooter situation.  Fire drills are a key piece of safety in ensuring that all students are aware of exit points, and that students prepare for packed hallways and stairs during the drill.  Numerous drills occur throughout the school year; with some being announced, and others being spontaneous.  The goal of the surprise drills is to make sure that everyone maintains calm even when there is a possibility of an actual fire.  Furthermore, the fire marshall comes to Schreiber once a year to monitor the school’s emergency procedures.  These drills make sure that in the case of an actual emergency, when the alarms are blaring and there is smoke in the air, students are able to revert back to what they did during the drills.  They do not have to think, just follow their teacher and classmates quickly and safely out of the building to safe ground.

Psychologists and guidance counselors are offered to help students with problems and relieve them of stress.  Schreiber is working in various ways to make sure that students are safe and that they feel that way.  This focus on security is important as school shootings have been increasing since the early 2000’s, and are a danger to students around the country.