I have come to wonder if our schools are really safe for attacks like what happened in V-Tech.

Its true my school has lock downs almost three times every week so we are prepared but truely are our school safe enough for this type of attacks.

I know I sometimes panic when I see a news on the t.v. saying oh their was another alarm at so and so high school and it could be another possible attack and so on.

My school seems not to be the safest place to be since most of our classes have at least 2 windows in every class and a door with another window and i have a couple of classes near the main doors of the school. at any possible time they could just walk in through the main doors or they could break the glass windows.

o.o it seems to me that some of the colleges will be a bit safer. Well at least the ones that have the money. while others will be forced to raise tuition to keep up with safeness of the school.

Discuss
-do you think our schools are safe and why do you think they are safe.
-what would your school do if their was a possible attack like V-Tech
-what are your possible procedures if something happened

I'm going to put this as simple as possible.. As I don't really feel like elaborating and explaining each part.

Murders and Crimes still happen inside the highest security prisons.
Schools on a daily basis get converted to an environment similar to said prisons. The major problems with this is the people that are dangerous FIND ways to get in. The people that are the victims never seem to be able to find a way OUT. I don't think the government could protect a school enough without making it almost airport-esque. And sadly believe what rumors you will or not, inside the terminals of airports are safer than inside any government building, schools included.

Originally Posted by cnflct

I'm going to put this as simple as possible.. As I don't really feel like elaborating and explaining each part.

Murders and Crimes still happen inside the highest security prisons.
Schools on a daily basis get converted to an environment similar to said prisons. The major problems with this is the people that are dangerous FIND ways to get in. The people that are the victims never seem to be able to find a way OUT. I don't think the government could protect a school enough without making it almost airport-esque. And sadly believe what rumors you will or not, inside the terminals of airports are safer than inside any government building, schools included.

i agree with what you say that people are the ones that find the ways to go in but don't you think that it would have been safer if they pointed out to the teachers at least those that have mental problem like cho had and i'm not saying this as like a bad thing i'm just saying this as it would have been safer that if they had pointed out his mental issue then they could have probably prevented something from happening.

it seems that most of these shootings could have been prevented if they had paid a little close attention to attitudes of their students because teachers can see how they can change from minute to the next i'm not saying that all of them could have been prevented but it just seems that V-Tech shooting could have been if the teachers would have known about his mental issue :3

Originally Posted by Dance Now

i agree with what you say that people are the ones that find the ways to go in but don't you think that it would have been safer if they pointed out to the teachers at least those that have mental problem like cho had and i'm not saying this as like a bad thing i'm just saying this as it would have been safer that if they had pointed out his mental issue then they could have probably prevented something from happening.

it seems that most of these shootings could have been prevented if they had paid a little close attention to attitudes of their students because teachers can see how they can change from minute to the next i'm not saying that all of them could have been prevented but it just seems that V-Tech shooting could have been if the teachers would have known about his mental issue :3

I don't believe it's the teachers job to have to analytically break down every student. Also, if you've ever been to an art school. People who have the demeanor and lifestyle of Cho outnumber BY FAR those that someone else may think are normal. Bottom line is, that which could be done without causing the teacher to risk his/her job was guaranteed done. And honestly, in these cases, if intervention is done, its not likely to stop the person, it will most likely either Prolong it, they'll put it off, or hasten it, they'll do it sooner, and much sloppier and probably more dangerously.

Society is a monster.

Originally Posted by cnflct

I don't believe it's the teachers job to have to analytically break down every student. Also, if you've ever been to an art school. People who have the demeanor and lifestyle of Cho outnumber BY FAR those that someone else may think are normal. Bottom line is, that which could be done without causing the teacher to risk his/her job was guaranteed done. And honestly, in these cases, if intervention is done, its not likely to stop the person, it will most likely either Prolong it, they'll put it off, or hasten it, they'll do it sooner, and much sloppier and probably more dangerously.

Society is a monster.

mmm you bring a good point x] but thank you you seemed to clear it up for me a bit more :3

but in my school it seems they have lock downs whenever we don't have lunch periods o.o hmm that makes me wonder more what would happened if we have a lock down during lunch XD oh sorry i'm talking to myself on this XDDDD

My school wants to implement uniforms because they want to make it safer. There was also an assembly for this, and the students tried to prove uniforms won't make it better. Now it's just up to the parents vote. There was a students vote, most opposed it... now we're just needing the parents to decide...

My school is crazy about security (at the dorms and classroom facilities) they require IDs to be shown when you enter the building. But of course we get security people who sometimes get a little too busy talking on their cell phones (all of them seem to it's weird) and one day someone got in and started robbing people, he was only caught because he was stupid enough to try and do it again in the same night. At my old high school (which I'm unbeleiably glad I'm away from at this point) you also had to show ID there but theres security up and down the halls in between classes and now they're installing a fence or a wall (I forget which one) that you must enter first. It's sounding more and more like a prison every day. :(

things like what happened at V-tech are hard to protect against because it was somone from inside the school that could wander freely anyways. It's scary to think but short of constant mental survailance of every student I can't imagin theres anything you could do. and I guarentee not everyone would be willing to do it, or let alone be honest. I can tell you right now it scares the crap outta me, but without making school a huger hasstle and making it invasive of your personal life, and making it unbeleivably confining (jail like) theres little to be done.

Originally Posted by cnflct

Murders and Crimes still happen inside the highest security prisons.

Bad example. Prisons don't actually do anything to protect the prisoners--their duty is to keep them in. The higher security, the more dangerous the prisoners that are being kept there, meaning more guards, more strict regulations, etc.


No, our schools aren't safe enough and they never will be. As long as a single child is being teased, bullied, picked on etc, they are not safe enough. Even when you prevent the Virginia Techs of the world from happening, there will still be violence within the walls.

I don't have much of an opinion on this topic, but I honestly believe that no matter what our schools will never be safe for our children. As long as their are kids there who like to harass others for being different, wierd, funny, or just odd we'll always have kids who do things like this.

When I was young I would sometimes wish that someone would come to our school and kill all the kids who would tease me constantly. I hated school and I hated being there. I just hate the kids who get all whiney and say, " How could this have happened?" when they were a person who use to tease the person who did something horrible at the school.

No matter how tight we make security at our schools our kids are never safe there, really. Kids just need to learn to stop being just snobby little bastards and accept people for how they are. And if you don't like someone, who gives a shit just don't talk to them.

sometimes i really have to wonder about this. i mean how safe can they be. even in the safest places things can go wrong. the one thing that just really freaked me out about my school was how they run exams. on campus we have a field house were our basket ball team plays and for exams they stuff 5 or so classes into the room for 3 hours in rows that cross the gym floor. there are two emergency exits and no security at the building. it was very unnerving and we had to write exams in there. anyone could have just walked in there and done who knows what.

nope. mine has drug deals and race riots

Originally Posted by kaptain kooky

Kids just need to learn to stop being just snobby little bastards and accept people for how they are. And if you don't like someone, who gives a shit just don't talk to them.

Children learn from example dear. Take a group of young(like toddler to early grade school aged) kids and put them in a room together with toys. Most of the time they get along amazingly well.

Now take that same group of children about 10-12 years later when they're preteens and teens and such and have the power to truly vocalize things. Naturally they're not going to get along quite as well as young children. Why? Because they've had time to absorb what those around them do. They've had time to let the world influence them. And no matter what any child tells you, their parents ARE the biggest influences in their lives, be that a good or bad thing.

Most often children adopt the behavioral patterns of their parents and other adults they see on a daily basis throughout their lifetimes.

Thus, if your parent is snobbish and stuck up and talks bad about people(even if it's just at home), a child learns that same behavior. And it's not something that can be fixed after it's started, most times. A kid might learn to control their outbursts a bit better, but the feelings never go away.

Before you start blaming it on the kids, look at the way their parents act first.

My old school in Jakarta had very high security. Every car is checked for bombs, the drivers need to put the window down to see the student[s] inside the car, only cars with stickers are allowed in the school, etc etc.

For middle school, there's this 3 layer bomb-resistant wall in front of the building. Whenever it's time to be picked up, there's a tv screen showing the cars beyond the maze-wall thing, and the car number is called. If your car number is called, that's the only time you can go out. I'm not sure my explanation is clear but it's just got REALLY tight security.

Oh and only buses and teachers are allowed to park. Or enter the main campus for that matter...
This was a drag since the school was sooo big it takes 5-10 minutes to walk from the high-security dropoff/pick-up area to the classrooms. -____-

but still, nothing can stop air attacks.

Knowing my school, nobody would be idiotic enough to carry a gun and have a shoot out bonanza like in V-Tech. Students are monitored strictly and those with anger management problems most likely have some sort of medicine and treatment. International schools are expensive, so people who go to my school can afford some therapy.

We're also drug checked all the time.

If, for some reason, something like V-tech happened again, the school would inform its students and parents IMMEDIATELY. The moment a gun is fired or a weapon is taken out. What I don't understand is why that college didn't do anything when the shooting began. A Lockdown would've been helpful.

What I would do if an assault came by, is let my instincts take over to survive

Originally Posted by purplejesseh

My school wants to implement uniforms because they want to make it safer. There was also an assembly for this, and the students tried to prove uniforms won't make it better. Now it's just up to the parents vote. There was a students vote, most opposed it... now we're just needing the parents to decide...

Uniforms don't improve school safety, despite what people claim. These days it is easy to go to the store, buy what you need, and then go to the school pretending to be a school. In the example of my school, we have ID cards and yet no one seems to ever ask us for them. Of course, I go to a public school that has a dress code; which they do not even enforce in the first place.

Originally Posted by stilettolover

No, our schools aren't safe enough and they never will be. As long as a single child is being teased, bullied, picked on etc, they are not safe enough. Even when you prevent the Virginia Techs of the world from happening, there will still be violence within the walls.

Point taken. I think a major flaw is that schools tend to think bullying as a normal part of growing up, and that is true up to a certain point. There is a huge difference between mutual, accepted joking between friends and name calling someone because you want an ego boost. Or that ignoring a bullying doesn't always work. A lot of them feed off of their peers reaction, despite the fact you might be looking the other way. Some bullies I have encountered know that you are ignoring them, and that just encourages them to do me. Some just like name calling you, no matter what happens.

My school only went on lock down a few times this year, last year it was a lot of times. All the windows in the school is barred and the problem is the door since it's not barred except the gym. Unfortunately the security isn't as good at my school, they DON'T always do their job especially when kids are in the hallway(fights sometimes occur). Also there are metal detectors which helps a lot since there were a few troubled incidents.

Things like V Tech will occur again and again because there are bullies every where and also schools that can't get good security and have big campus. Plus depression and stuff like that plays a part.

• Okay, my school is NOT safe in the least bit. And its sad, since we're one of the largest districts on Long Island.
  Anyway:
  
  Last Tuesday, we had a threat come into our school. A "Kill All Teachers Threat". There was extra security, and you were supposed to enter and exit the building through only one door. No one did. No one was checked with metal dectors. You could have snuck anything in and nothing would have happened. NOT SAFE.
  
  Side Note: Did you hear about the school that did a fake terriost threat to middle schoolers and scared them half to death?

I don't think my...er "previous" school is very safe. I say previous because I'll be changing schools after summer ends. I think most people can guess why. Well anyway...

My school's layout is more so open buildings. Not the buildings in which we have in our communities where it stands tall, one door and bricks/wood/etc cover it all the way around. Our buildings have entrances everywhere, wide windows and the center of it all has no roof. I guess that because if there was a roof it would seem more indoor and most people wouldn't want that during recess.

Our rooms come with one door and a bunch of glass, see through windows. Maybe 6 in every room. Except closed rooms with AC. Someone could easily throw a rock and our windows will shatter.

Another thing is, because of our windows, there isn't many places to hide so it would seem you're not there. Everyone is cramped and if not, things are to be arranged in a weird way so everyone is hiding and away from view. Which will attract attention. Things in weird order and alot of noise to move them.

And last, I don't think our school is good at figureing out who's supposed to be on campus and who isn't. Our school is pretty wide and open spaced, they wouldn't see a maniac till they were close.

My school is not safe. Nope.

Well, I'm fresh out of middle school and don't start high school until August so I'll talk about that.

I live in a safe area in comparison to a lot of places I've been to. Our general crime rate isn't too high so were not that at risk. But honestly and truly, if I wanted to break in, I certainly could. It'd be so easy.

I don't feel very well protected considering all the ways someone could get in and massacre us all x__x. But we don't have too much of those kinds of people where I live so chances are low. And our "security gaurds" are really old >__>. Honestly...

After the Virginia Tech incident, I was really depressed. I was also freaked. Seriously. Our school didn't beef up security or anything! They just discussed the matter with us and bam. That was it. Well, I'm out of that school now.

My high school is a private boarding school so hopefully it'll have better security. I hope. What could drive people to such insanity that they would massacre teachers and students in a school? D':

Schools should have a higher security fund. Instead of buying some new air conditioner for the teachers' lounge they should get us some good gaurds! They can't teach if we're all dead now can they? Safety first =3

The high school has cops in it at all times, which I think is a bit much. Our middle school is extremely relaxed, though. I've seen plenty of kids with razors....yet I get sent to the office for having a rubber band.

Considering the spontaneous behavior and intelligence of humans...There's no real way to stop that sort of thing, especially when shooters and brainiacs that get around the system are of all different types of personalities and...types.

Teachers....they say, oh, something was suspicious when someone is different than themselves, but they really aren't at any stance to make a good analysis of anyone'e behavior simply due to outward behavior. Like, I have a really good friend who, outwardly, seems like the most homicidal maniac in the world, but he's a real sweetie when no one's really looking ^^;

Officers as well. We used to have 2 or 3 at school, and there was still plenty of talk about drug deals and partying, on the school grounds. There really isn't any way to get around human ingenuity, no matter how on guard anyone is, because it is such a complicated matter.

....I suppose, the only way to really prevent things like the VT shooting would be for everyone to stay locked up in their own room, individually, without freedoms of any sort. And honestly, people have bad things happen to them 10 feet from home. Nowhere is safe anymore, except perhaps death, and that has to be accepted.

I just wish some more people would realize that, hey, alright, a human killed others. Alright. So their dreams were lost, and their parents lost a child. But people die, and from the randomest things ever. It was a tragedy, sure, but how many people die of hunger, or from cruelty from others? If only more people looked at the bigger picture, they might realize that things happen in society that no one can prevent, because humans have faults.

Wow, I got rambly.
Please, also, don't take any major offense to this. I am merely posting my opinion and do not at all intend to offend anyone at all.

I certainly do not think my school is safe enough for a V-Tech like attack.
My school has gone ghetto & we have just started having Gang fights more and more over the last few years. We have police on every corner to protect from gang fights. We have to have police stationed in parks for the same reason.
I mean, my freshmen year in high school their was a Rumor that a kid had a gun in school.
But, it wasn't a rumor in the end.
The kid was in my 2nd hour class he ended up brining a fully loaded gun, and carried it in his backpack.
This gun easily carried 8 bullets. He was planning on shooting some kids after school or during lunch.
They didn't catch him till 5 hour & we only have 6 hours in a day....He could have shot anyone in the time frame before they caught him.
Also, we just recently made the policy that if your caught fighting, you'll be handcuffed & taken away to the station. This didn't start UNTIL schools for troubled youth started to close.
UGH I just wish they'd take back all the kids that they brought over that's not meant for a public school, such as ours.

Guns being legally available to all who carry a license is a stupid thing. Without those, there wouldn't be hal;f as manydead people in the US of A. =B

• ♥ » at my school, i don't know if its that safe but we have had a school lock down practise.
  all the windows on the doors are now have paper covering them, but during the lock down practise, the police came around pretending to me the bad guys opening any doors they can find, in the end the "bad guys" didn't find one person and all doors were locked.
  i'm sure that there's a possiblity that there could always be a way to get to the students, but we all know that the bell alarm for school lock down is different, its not that different from our regular one, so it most of us might just think nothing of it.
  
  a scary thing is that a few weeks ago, my school got a bomb threat just 5 minutes before lunch. only the principals and a few others knew but the teachers and students were all wondering why we were having a firedrill just before lunch. if it was a bomb threat, we shouldn't have been just standing behind the campas out in the open in crowds.
  they should've had a better precaution.
  
  also, theres always the occasional fight that happens where everyone crowds around the two people fighting and watch. i don't see the amusement in watching people fight, but the whole school seems too. teachers always seem to not be able to stop fights, which is why i think they should just end up calling the police. let them deal with it. also, there should always be a few teachers around outside. no one fights with teachers around anyways.
  
  i think there should be way more guidelines on what to do during different events that might happen, or at least get the police involved earlier on instead of waiting for more serious things to happen.

I dont think so, there are so many situations that schools are NOT prepared for, like snatching? I know a school where the kids play in a playground near woods -_-

I went to high school in the ghetto and across the street from the pool for gym is where drug trafficking was...and there were constant shootings....

-_-'

I think everyone should consider homeschooling their children. There are a lot of benefits from doing this method, but there are also a couple of down falls due to it. Pretty much that's why there are a lot of online schools these days. A few benefits is that you can actually get a couple years a head by doing online classes. You don't have to deal with the stress of being at school. Peer pressure and other things such as being bullied. I am home schooled online. I do prefer it over going to school. Considering I live in one of the places that is known to be one of the worse school districts. I would get beaten up at school by guys, etc. It is weird though...just cause I wouldn't date them, lol. Either way I have always stuck to myself. I am been what people would call a loner. I tried not being a follower and doings drugs in the school bathrooms and drink, like the rest of the kids do. Another problem at school is that the teachers don't really have much control over their students in my point of view. Yes, I don't really think the schools are safe even when it comes to security out the school or even within it.