So far in 2024 there have already been 76 school shootings, and the number continues to climb. In light of this, some Carrollton students are worried about their safety. This has become worse after a lockdown this semester that frightened many students.
I’m “kind of worried now,” said Juju Diez ‘29. “I wasn’t that worried before, but after we had a lockdown, it scared me a lot, and now I’m actually worried, especially because it was not clear what the lockdown was for.”
Other students feel differently. “I’m not that worried because I know everything is really safe,” said Colette Isaias ‘29. “However, I got a little scared after the lockdown recently because people didn’t know, and the teachers didn’t know why there was a lockdown. That is the only reason why I feel a little unsafe.”
One thing that might help would be if administration informed students what the level of the lockdown drills are since the previous lockdown was not for a shooting. “Our current system does have that capability,” said Mrs. Consuegra, Head of the Upper School, “and we are currently reviewing how we can continue to best use our current system.”
School shootings bring trauma to almost all students who have been involved and affected by one. According to Stanford University, “Research indicates a higher rate of antidepressant use among those exposed to a school shooting in the years following the gun violence.”
This is just one reason good security in school is extremely important.
“As a student going to school, my number one priority should be my learning,” said Julia Cunha ‘29, “but now I have to worry about my safety.”
There are different security measures that schools have taken, including metal detectors and clear backpacks.
According to GARRET, “One of the most important advantages of school metal detectors is their ability to immediately detect a potential threat. This is crucial for ensuring the safety of everyone throughout the school year.”
Clear backpacks can also be helpful to prevent people from bringing weapons. However, many Carrollton students are opposed to this idea because they think it is an invasion of privacy. “I don’t think that clear backpacks are a good idea,” said Audrey Burns ‘29. “I don’t want my teacher to see books or my phone in there, but if a lot of school shootings are happening, then yeah.”
Overall, despite the lockdown, most students and faculty feel safe at Carrollton. “It’s not part of my daily fears,” said Dr. Shulzitski, Upper School science teacher. However, “I think every time there is [a shooting], I have a moment where I think, ‘Oh this could happen anywhere,’ and definitely the fear is there.”
Perhaps students and faculty feel safe because of the measures that the security team already takes to make sure everyone is protected.
“We work hand in hand with the city of Miami police,” said Mrs. Consuegra. “We have police officers on every campus every day. They have very specific key components that they have in place every day on campus in collaboration with our security team at Carrollton to make sure that you’re all safe when you’re on campus.”
“I worry every day about your safety,” she added. “I worry every day to make sure that nothing happens to you, that you are always cared for, looked out for, and in the safest school possible.”
