Search
Polls
Latest Forum Posts
| Taking a Knee unclebuck 15-11-08 13:51 |
| Re:Football unclebuck 07-10-08 15:24 |
| Re:Football unclebuck 02-10-08 12:59 |
Login Form
| High school builds on school safety plans |
|
|
| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 09 January 2008 | |
|
“The events that occurred Sept. 19, I believe, are an anomaly. It could happen anywhere.” — James Lake Patterson High School assistant principal Assistant Principal James Lake was just three days into his new job when a gang brawl broke out at Patterson High School on Sept. 19. At Monday night’s school board meeting, Lake gave an update on the changes that high school administrators, students, teachers and campus supervisors have made at the local high school. He also discussed a survey of high school students that revealed that a little more than two-thirds of respondents feel safe at school, though only a little more than half feel safer at school than on the streets. “The events that occurred Sept. 19, I believe, are an anomaly,” said Lake, Patterson High’s assistant principal of discipline, attendance and safety. “It could happen anywhere.” Nine students were expelled after the fights. No students have been expelled at the school in the three months since. The school has safety precautions in place, and administrators, students and parents have been working toward a safer campus, Lake said. The high school received 989 completed student surveys about safety out of 1,250 sent out in November. Patterson High School safety survey Feel safe at school? Yes (678 or 68.6 percent) No (285 or 28.8 percent) Other (26 or 2.6 percent) Administration doing a good job? Yes (670 or 67.7 percent) No (290 or 29.3 percent) Other (29 or 3 percent) Safer at school than streets? Yes (507 or 51.3 percent) No (418 or 42.3 percent) Other (64 or 6.4 percent) Concerned about gang activity? Yes (392 or 39.6 percent) No (577 or 58.4 percent) Other (20 or 2 percent) Positive changes since Sept. 19? Yes (564 or 57 percent) No (394 or 39.8 percent) Other (31 or 3.2 percent) Does law enforcement help? Yes (603 or 61 percent) No (362 or 36.6 percent) Other (24 or 2.4 percent) Do tardy sweeps help? Yes (381 or 38.5 percent) No (586 or 59.3 percent) Other (22 or 2.2 percent) Interested in participating in campus beautification day? Yes (285 or 28.8 percent) No (682 or 69 percent) Other (22 or 2.2 percent) ** This survey was distributed Nov. 26 through 29. The high school sent out 1,250 surveys at school, and 989 were returned. Those surveys indicated that 68.6 percent of students feel safe at school, while 67.7 percent of students think the administration has done a good job and 51.3 percent of respondents feel safer at school than in the streets. Nearly 40 percent of students report worries about gangs. In the past three months, the campus has instituted more safety measures. Those include four uniformed security officers, a safety hotline, safety tip boxes for messages and suggestions, posted consequences for bad behavior, classroom management workshops for new teachers, parent education about gangs and clearly posted signs about the school’s dress code. “We do need a stricter dress code,” Lake said. “We hate to do it, but in today’s world, it’s a necessity.” Board President Ruben Piña stressed the need for a campus security supervisor. “I think it is very important to have a female,” Piña said. Vice President Barbara Hartsell agreed that some students might be more willing to talk to a woman campus supervisor. Lockdown procedures have been put in place at the school, evacuation maps are placed in each classroom, classroom safety kits have been updated, school telephones identify incoming and outgoing calls and the campus has security cameras. A few groups also have been formed or are being formed to help with safety at the high school. The Safe Haven Parent Committee, a group of parents that aims to help ensure that students have the best opportunity to learn, has met monthly. In addition, teachers and administrators have volunteered time in a small-group mentoring program. Meanwhile, a campus beautification committee has started and is seeking students to work on Saturday projects on campus. Administrators have work to do to convince kids to get up early Saturday and go to school, though: The November survey showed that only 28.8 percent of students were interested. Administrators will also put signs up around campus this week that reinforce messages of pride, honor, courage, respect, honesty, compassion and responsibility on campus. “My personal feeling is PHS is safe and continues to be safe,” Lake said. To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at maddy@ pattersonirrigator.com
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 155 Comments
(0)
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed