After the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Maryland has taken steps to make student safety a priority. In fact, a state law enacted last year directs all 24 school systems in Maryland to have “age appropriate” active-shooter training as part of regular safety drills. In accordance with this, new active-shooter training has been implemented in many schools in Montgomery County in late 2018 and will take place in all of the county’s 206 schools by the end of the school year.
Previously the county had a lockdown drill, used in addition to shelter and fire drills, where students were mandated to stay in their classrooms or go into the nearest secure room. However, after analysis of school shootings that have occurred, this strategy was not deemed appropriate for all scenarios in which there is an active assailant.
In recent months, many schools have taken a specific time out of class for teachers to present students with numerous scenarios where an active assailant is in the building and discuss how they should protect themselves. Now, students are encouraged to consider multiple options, including exiting the building if they are near a door or using objects around them as self-defense if needed.
The training procedures have been developed the schools’ safety staff, Montgomery County Police, and most notably, the school district’s new chief safety officer Ed Clarke. Gillian Huebner, chair of the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations’ subcommittee on school climate and safety, believes that Clarke is the “best person in this line of work,” which should put many parents and students at ease.
However, these new training sessions and drills in schools have quickly become controversial among students, staff and parents. Many acknowledge the importance of making sure students are prepared for many different scenarios, but may doubt how much this will help in a real-life situation.
“I don’t know how effective it will be in an actual situation, but I think it is important to discuss the different options students and staff have in these situations since they are increasingly common,” WJ senior Amit Hanadari-Levy said.
Additionally, people are concerned about the effect that discussing these procedures have on students’ mental health, well being, and their learning environment. WJ senior Mairead Canning, who has played a large role in WJ’s Students Against Gun Violence club, agrees with this claim.
“I have spoken to many students who are scared every time their principle comes on the intercom because they fear that there might be a shooter in the building,” Canning said.
In response to this issue, Montgomery County ensures that counselors and psychologists are readily available during and after the trainings. Additionally, the programs are adjusted for each age-group and more research is being done on the effects these trainings have on students.
However, Canning believes these trainings and precautions are not enough to help the issue of gun violence in our community, and more needs to be done to address it.
“Across the country students fear for their lives not only in classrooms, but in churches, movie theaters, or even walking down the street. It’s an issue that is much bigger than the policies that have been instituted reflect,” Canning said.
These trainings will continue to be adjusted to fit the needs of students as the county continues to receive feedback from students, parents, and school staff. In addition to these trainings, Montgomery County is taking other measures to ensure student safety, such as installing new security cameras and securing entrances.
Article by MoCo Student staff writer Courtney Cohn of Walter Johnson High School