Tag Archive for: teachers

Arming School Staff Members or School Resource Officers – Let’s Look at the Facts, Part 1

By Kevin Quinn

There has been much talk about school safety and active shooters. One solution discussed at great lengths is arming school staff to deter and respond to an active shooter. Some people say the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. I wish it were that easy, but there are several considerations to take when the topic of arming school staff members arises. For today’s blog, I will discuss two primary issues, identification and training. In Part 2 of this blog post, I will cover the remaining issues.

Identification

schoolsecurity-6c52aaecAs a police officer, I wear a uniform that identifies me to other officers and the public. Even if responders can’t see my face, they know I am not the suspect and can react accordingly when locating the threat. Unfortunately, teachers do not dress any differently than regular civilians and do not stand out in a crowd at a school – especially high schools and colleges where the students are older than elementary school students.

Furthermore, when officers arrive at the scene of an active shooter, our first goal is to end the violence. As we attempt to locate the suspect, we look for someone with a weapon. Imagine we come across Mr. Jones, the math teacher, in the hallway with his gun drawn. Chances are, Mr. Jones will be detained until his identity can be confirmed. That is, of course, if Mr. Jones doesn’t react in a way the officers deem a threat. In that case, there is a possibility of injury. But here’s another alarming variable –time – precious time that officers should be spending locating and apprehending the suspect.

Training

How much training will the armed staff members receive when the program is put into place? How much on-going annual training will they receive? How many hours will a staff member train before being allowed to carry a gun in schools? Depending on the location in the country, I have heard everything from eight to 24 hours of firearms training. It is important to realize that being able to shoot holes in paper does NOT mean you are ready for a potential deadly-force encounter. That readiness comes with intensive force-on-force training, decision-making scenarios, and high-stress combat shooting.

As you can see, identification and training alone raise several questions we need to consider before deciding to arm our school staff members. Look for Part 2 of the blog post, later this week.

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Kevin Quinn is a 20-year veteran police officer and SRO in Arizona and the former President of the National Association of School Resource Officers. He is the current President of the Arizona School Resource Officers Association as well as an advisor to several school safety organizations. He can be reached on Twitter @klah316 or email kquinn@asroa.org.

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#100DaysOfSafety

#100DaysOfSafetyHappy 4th of July. I hope you are reveling in the warm summer days. Whether you have just finished up the year, or are preparing to return, it’s never too early to think about how to do better in the next school year.

Our teachers are already thinking about new lesson plans and teaching strageties. Our parents want to help their students be more successful in the new school year. And our administrators are looking at ways to improve the educational experience and overall school performance.

Here at Safe and Sound Schools, we never stop thinking about ways to improve school safety. That’s why this summer, we’re providing daily tips to help provide you with some new ideas. Check out our #100DaysofSafety campaign on social media. It just takes one small idea to make a big difference.

During these few shorts weeks of summer, we wish peace and quiet, time with your loved ones, and an opportunity to rethink school safety and recharge for the year ahead.

Keep up with #100DaysOfSafety on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

– Michele Gay

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Teacher Appreciation Week 2016

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Yesterday was National Teacher Appreciation Day, but the celebration continues all week. This year, National Teacher Appreciation Week is from May 2-6. Teacher Appreciation Week offers principals, parents, and students a special opportunity to recognize teachers for all the amazing work they do in educating and keeping our students safe and sound year round. Although teacher appreciation doesn’t have to be limited to one day or one week, Teacher Appreciation Week serves as a great reminder of teachers’ ongoing efforts. Here’s a list of fun and thoughtful ways you can celebrate teachers this week, or any week!

  • Download our Teacher Appreciation Certificate to recognize a teacher for their outstanding work.
  • Join the National Education Association and the National PTA in saying “Thank You” by participating in the #ThankATeacher campaign. Snap a picture of a teacher you you’d like to recognize with the hashtag #ThankATeacher and explain why you appreciate them. Click here to learn more.
  • Give teachers a break–a lunch break!  Consider packing or ordering a special lunch for your child’s teacher.  You’re guaranteed a smile!
  • Offer to volunteer.  Teachers can always use another pair of hands in the classroom or in gathering or preparing materials.
  • Donate to the classroom. Classroom donations in the form of gift cards are wonderful gifts as teachers often use their own money to pay for classroom supplies and materials. Staples and Target gift cards are a popular favorite.
  • Write a personalized note or card highlighting why you appreciate them.
  • Send flowers. Nothing says thank you like a burst of spring blooms from your own garden or local market.

Let us know how you are celebrating teachers this week. To add to our list of ideas, share them with our audience on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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