On the Same Page

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Communications from the Director

On the Same Page

November 2006
David W. Magill, Director

No stranger to preventive school security measures, I write this month's On the Same Page with a sense of real sadness. Saddened not only by the recent horrific events that have occurred outside of Denver, Colorado; in central Wisconsin; and in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but also for the additional and necessary changes that must take place in most of America's schools, including Lab.

I cannot think of another event in recent history that created more of a change in the way that schools do business than the violent acts that occurred at Columbine High School in April 1999. In addition to basic building security, this single incident raised issues including gun control, bullying, heavy metal music, and violence portrayed on commercial video games. Schools couldn't hire school psychologists fast enough, and security consultants were springing up everywhere. While schools spent millions of dollars on counselors, security guards, video cameras, and metal detectors, the overwhelming majority of the problems came from within buildings rather than from the outside.

Knowing kids well and not letting them slip through the cracks became the mantra of concerned adults. Preaching the message of community responsibility and creating communication channels to serve as an early warning system for kids experiencing depression and anger became commonplace. It is my opinion that the wake up call caused by Columbine really did help most schools get better at identifying youngsters who are at high risk for violence.

But now we are confronted with a new and different threat. Crazed people with no institutional affiliation have entered schools buildings and have done the unthinkable to children and anyone in their way. The fact that this could happen in an idyllic part of the country to the most peaceful of people suggests that it could happen anywhere.

Prompted by events that occurred near or on Lab Schools' property in the past several months, we began the year with a new look at our own security measures. The national events have intensified that examination. As a result of our review, we will be doing the following in the next month:

Hire an additional part-time police officer to monitor the Kimbark Mall and High School/Middle School entrances from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Improve lighting in Kenwood Mall.
Renew vigilance by requiring visitors and substitutes to wear identification tags.
Review our crisis management plan with all faculty and staff.
Implement a "lock down" drill at school before the winter holidays.
Service all emergency equipment including portable communication devices.
Reinstall doors to the senior lounge and lock them at the end of the school day.
Inform employees, parents, and high school students of any incident of violence on school property or any breach of security.
Following Thanksgiving break, open only three exterior doors in the morning at 7:15 a.m. A Public Safety Coordinator will be at the Blaine, Judd, and High School/Middle School entrances to monitor those entering the buildings. All other doors will be locked.

In addition, we will be reviewing other security measures with the University police and Lab Schools' Board of Directors. We will consider installing surveillance cameras at entrances. We recognize that some measures may be an inconvenience, but we expect that their introduction will be understood as a necessary measure for improved security.