Teachers participate in simulation training to ensure student safety
By Julia Campisano
November 4 was an important day, not just for our country’s voters, but for NAHS teachers. While the students enjoyed a day off, the teachers arrived at school for training on the new A.L.I.C.E. intruder procedure.
“The goal was for teachers to think about how they would respond to an actual intruder in our school,” Principal Janet Page said.
The topic of an intruder entering the building is a really tough subject for some people to think about, let alone discuss in the classroom. Although this can be a touchy subject for teachers and students alike, NAHS administrators believe it’s imperative for school safety.
“This isn’t a pleasant subject, but very necessary,” school resource officer Sergeant Perry Parsons said. “I am pleased that the staff has embraced it as needed. With NAHS taking the approach, we are pioneering Southern Indiana with the A.L.I.C.E.”
While other schools in the district spent the day at home or filling out ballots, teachers stayed here and prepared themselves for an intruder to enter the building. And many teachers believe that goal was reached.
“It gives you more of a real situation to see how you react,” math teacher Rick Belcher said. “It’s one thing to be told what to do, versus actually dealing with it.”
“I believe I am better trained because I see more of a reality of what an intruder would really be like,” business teacher Sandra Flatt said.
While many teachers discussed the training with their students the following day, some students still have questions. One common question was what students should do if they aren’t in a classroom while an intruder enters the building.
“The most important thing about personal safety is to always be aware of your surroundings,” Mrs. Page said. “If students hear things or see things that are of concern, reporting the information to any adult immediately is imperative.”
Sergeant Parsons agrees.
“If you are in class, you should listen to the teacher’s instructions on what to do. If you are in the hallway or anywhere else outside of a classroom, you need to be aware of your surroundings and if you have the ability to leave, do so immediately.”
The new A.L.I.C.E training involves teachers and students fighting back and leaving the building if possible, instead of the old method (sitting ducks) where students hide from the viewing area of the door and stay in the room.
“The sitting duck thing is stupid,” Mr. Belcher said. “If there’s an intruder it’s different if he’s shooting on this floor versus somewhere else. The hardest thing to grasp is to attack (the intruder), throw something instead of ducking and running. If everyone throws things less people are likely to get hurt.”
NAHS administrators are exploring the next steps in A.L.I.C.E. training.