Back in my day (with dinosaurs and pre-wheel invention), school safety was routine fire and the occasional earthquake drills…with the notable exception of the splendidly vivid “hydrogen bomb” procedures. Yes, I do remember doing these during the hotter phases of the Cold War, although more when I lived in Spartanburg than Clinton.
Fast forward sixty years and school safety is a far more important concern and ubiquitous in nature. Due to an increase in exposure through immediate news access and social media as well as a general dis-ease (not, disease but dis-ease), distrust, and disinformation coursing through our nation, states, and cities.
Due to schools being relatively easy targets and sporting events being often congested areas, people can cause mayhem…or like the old game of the “Circle Secret” where something is whispered in the ear of one person and then it is told and retold until it gets to the last person and that person “tells” what they heard…and it is rarely, if ever, the original message.
Please know the tragic events in Georgia are despicable and seriously aberrant but often they create a host of “copycat” efforts. Thus far, SLED has identified several dozen of the perpetrators of such measures.
Clinton Middle and High Schools have had several of these “copycat” threats. First, every threat is treated seriously and in turn we communicate with the Clinton Police Department or the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. The problem this creates is a worsening of the already “red line” dis-ease in our communities.
Please know it is our first priority to keep our students and staff safe. We are presently working at all of our pre-K and elementary schools to make more secure entrances for parents and visitors to enter through a sealed off area and not through the main entrance and somehow bypass the offices. We hope to be completed with these secure access points by the end of the first semester.
The sad thing is when these elementary schools were built (1958 for MS Bailey, 1968 for Clinton Elementary, 1982 for the Joanna portion of the Joanna-Woodson Elementary, and 1986 for Eastside Elementary), such thoughts of added security were unimaginable. In fact, when I was principal at Clinton Elementary from 1997 - 1999, I wanted parents to be at school and, since CES was an open design back then, students met their parents at the door to their classrooms.
I know no one wants a tragedy in Laurens County or in District 56 so we must all keep our guards up and notify the principals when or if your child sees or hears something. The worst thing to do is to post on social media even before we have a chance to contact the local police and/or sheriff’s department.
Please remind students to be observant and keep their eyes and ears open. Students are our best means of information and although many leads do not pan out, they do indicate trust in the teachers, administration and guidance at the schools.
Everyone is aware “mental health” issues are on the rise and there may well be a correlation if not causation with social media. Our children are addicted to it…and again, truth be told, so are many adults. Unfortunately, with the availability of firearms and the rapid increase in serious emotional or mental health issues, the potential results can be recipes for disaster.
Please know in District 56 we work extremely well and closely with our local law enforcement agencies. Also know we are continuing to make schools more safe. Schools are places to learn, to laugh, and to make friends. It is not a place children need fear for their lives.
Thank you for your support and your understanding as we continue to work together to make our schools safer and more conducive to learning.
Dr. David O’Shields is Superintendent of School District 56
