As America continues its struggle to make sense out of the tragic shooting last week in Newtown, Conn., local schools have announced plans to prevent tragedies of their own.
The issue of school violence gained even more attention in Indiana earlier this week when, Von Meyer, a Cedar Lake man who allegedly owns 47 guns, was arrested after threatening to shoot students at a nearby elementary school following an argument with his wife, who works at the school.
Throughout Central Indiana, various school districts and private schools have issued statements and reports assuring concerned parents that some kind of plan is in place to protect their children if an outbreak of violence occurs.
For example, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), the largest school district, told the Recorder that it has several initiatives in place to ensure that both students and teachers are safe.
“Our children go through drills, along with the administrators,” said John Althardt, an IPS spokesman.
Those drills provide preparation for everything from fires and tornados to intruders. In the case of an intruder, classrooms are placed on an internal lockdown, Althardt noted.
“Depending upon where their classroom is located in the building, there may be slightly different responses, but children are taught to stay calm, stay quiet, and to go to a designated spot in the classroom,” he said. “If it’s possible the lights are turned out, the door shut, and if the room has windows and there is time the blinds can be drawn.”
Althardt added that some schools in the district have had to go on precautionary drills due to police activity and investigations in their immediate area.
“Although we never had an armed intruder, students have had the experience of having the school go on a lockdown situation because of activity around the school,” he said.
In addition, IPS has a 66-member police force that works throughout the district, with some officers conducting general patrols, and others stationed in the schools on a daily basis.
“Not only does it provide a layer of security that many school districts don’t have, but it also gives us that very important set of eyes that is continually looking at security procedures and safety precautions,” Althardt said. “We have built-in experts that are on the job everyday”
Schools in the district are also monitored by surveillance cameras inside and outside.
Throughout Central Indiana, other school districts have released information about measures designed to prevent fatalities in an invasion until the threat is neautralized.
The Metropolitan School District of Warren Township, located on the city’s Eastside, has increased the level of security at schools across the district. Administrators say they are working closely with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to increase patrols, and have the townships own police officer stationed in schools.
“Times like these reinforce the importance of our safe schools measures and the procedures we practice to keep our students as safe as possible,” said Dr. Dena Cushenberry, superintendent of Warren Township Schools.
In the Washington Township school district in the Northwest part of Indianapolis, officials report that emergency preparedness protocols are in place that and have been under constant review.
“Students and school staff participated in state mandated safety drills on a regular basis which include preparedness drills for weather, fire and crisis situations such as the presence of intruders,” Washington Township superintendent, Dr. Nikki Woodson said. “We have also secured entrances, and access is limited through camera-entry security systems. Additionally, a check-in procedure is in place for all visitors at the schools, through specialized visitor identification technology.”
Independent private schools that are not regulated by district-wide policies are announcing heightened efforts to protect students and staff.
Park Tudor, a private college preparatory high school, has a comprehensive emergency and crisis plan is in place, with security drills performed throughout the school year.
“We also have a full-time director of safety and security overseeing the school campus, along with a full-time, licensed police officer,” administrators explained in a statement.
In addition, Park Tudor also has hired three nurses on its staff, and many of its faculty members have been trained in first aid and CPR, with access to defibrillators in the main campus buildings.
Coping with the tragedy
“This week the Recorder gathered advice from local experts on how the nation can best cope with the school shooting tragedy that took place last week in Newtown, Conn. Here are some of their thoughts:
Keith Magnus, director of counseling services, Butler University:
“This situation is horrible, but there are a few ways to cope and take care of ourselves. When something like this happens people don’t feel safe, so do what you can to create safety for yourself and usually that’s making connections with people around you, versus isolation and thinking you have to do this by yourself. Talking with people is very important when dealing with something like this.
“The other thing people can do is keep this in perspective. I know other incidents have happened, but this is one person. These things don’t happen every day. Typically school, the mall, movie theaters – they’re safe places. Maybe there’s an initial reluctance or fear, but if you continue to avoid certain places the fear intensifies or makes it worse. Do things in your normal routine.”
Dr. Jacqualyn F. Green, therapist, consultant and author, Green Enterprizes:
“Due to the difficulty in wrapping one’s head around such ugly realities, the first stage of coping is typically shock, numbness and/or confusion. As time passes, some relief may be felt by hugging a child – an attempt to give young people assurance that they are loved and wanted. In this way, adults try to restore security within this vulnerable population.
“Others may adopt a similar coping strategy of volunteerism – particularly in schools or with youth programs. This activity serves to reinforce the idea that despite the cruelty that may surface in the world, one can make a difference.
“For others, it might be beneficial to identify the multitude of feelings and emotions experienced and talk with others. Some may express their often conflicting and opposite emotions by writing, music or drawing. These positive forms of expression assist people in coming to terms with life’s events. There are also negative coping strategies – such as excessive drinking, drug use, or isolation from friends and supporters.
“In fact, some withdraw from others, determining that relationships are far too painful. As a result, some decide never to get close to anyone again. Unfortunately, this ‘disconnect’ strategy blocks out not only the pain, but prevents individuals from experiencing pleasures as well.
“Finally, another helpful coping strategy may be action. Some may be motivated to take a stance – politically. Our existing gun control regulations warrant review. It might be helpful to also examine negative media images – on TV, in the movies, on the radio and in games that many of our children play. We have desensitized several generations to violence. While we can change the gun laws, that is actually a bit easier than changing the thinking.
“Much like discrimination laws, perhaps people can begin by implementing the laws, and changing the behavior. Then, perhaps, you can attempt to change attitudes. Our society needs to return to a position of valuing human life.
“In the words of Martin Luther King: ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hatred. Only love can do that.’”
Rodney Cork, minister at New Beginnings Fellowship Church:
“In times like these, all we can turn to is our faith. It was a horrible, evil thing crime that took place and it’s hard to make sense of it all. But those who have hope, faith and trust in Jesus Christ all we can do right now is continue to pray for the families and individuals that were affected. We have to continue to rely on our faith to lift us up during these troubled times.”
Dr. A. Charles Ware, president of Crossroads Bible College:
“One obvious thing we can do is all join in praying for the first responders, families and communities affected by this. But we can also use this as a challenge in our own personal lives to contribute during these dark times. In other words, don’t let the darkness stamp out the light. We should ask ourselves what more can we do to bring about positive influences and role models into our community.”
