Safe Space
Just a few weeks ago, the “unthinkable” happened, again. Another school shooting, more lives lost, more calls for action. We shake our heads, wring our hands, and wonder why. And we wonder will it happen again? When will it happen again? Where will it happen again? And what, if anything, can we do? We would like to think that we are immune. That certainly a tragedy like that couldn’t possibly happen in our community, in our school. The unfortunate reality, however, is that, while maybe not probable, it is sadly possible.
So, what do we do to make our school the safe space for learning that it should be? At NVS, we take several measures to ensure the safety of our school community. First, all exterior doors remained locked during the day. School faculty and staff only are responsible for unlocking the doors to allow access to both the main building and the SLAB (science lab). Interior and exterior cameras provide visuals of all activity occurring in both buildings and the parking lot. Additionally, faculty and staff alike are equipped with two-way radios and cellphones for immediate communication. All faculty and staff have reviewed the school’s crisis management plan both individually and as a group and have a copy of the plan in their offices and classrooms. A copy of the school’s plan is also on file with the Lynchburg Police Department. Evacuation and lockdown drills are regularly practiced. NVS maintains a collegial relationship with the both the LPD and the Lynchburg Fire Department and works regularly with both agencies to assess and ensure the school’s safety.
Even more importantly, because NVS is such a small, closely-knit community, faculty and staff have formed close relationships with each other and the students. Faculty and staff know each student by name and are quick to notice if a student is having an “off” day or if there are changes in behavior or affect and to relay that information to parents/guardians, as well as to any counselors/therapists/medical personnel with whom a student may be working. Students are encouraged to be supportive of one another by going to a faculty or staff member when they have concerns regarding their friends and schoolmates. Because students have access to all faculty and staff, if they, themselves, are struggling, they know that there are any number of adults to whom they can go to for assistance. Our unofficial school slogan is “Team work makes the dream work.” In these tumultuous times, team work keeps the dream from becoming a nightmare.
