Majority of Students Feel Safe at Lenape Tech
Lenape Tech Special Projects Coordinator Carla Thimons speaks to Joint Operating Committee members last night about school security.
by Jonathan Weaver
Lenape Tech student survey results indicate that most of them feel safe at the Manor Township campus, but Special Projects Coordinator Carla Thimons is still striving for a perfect score.
According to a school survey distributed to students last month, 99 percent of students felt safe in their classrooms – with about the same percentage responding that they felt safe in the hallways, cafeteria and bus.
“I’m pleased, but there’s still that percentage that you want to ask ‘Why don’t you feel safe?,’” Thimsons said.
Lenape Tech students are also able to tell teachers about bullying through an anonymous hotline, online bullying report and suggestion box, but the 14 percent that have witnessed bullying didn’t give many specifics.
“We need to really try to get them to talk to us more,” Thimons said. “Our teachers are very vigilant. I think we have a good support system in-place if we are informed,” Thimons said.
To perhaps put students at-ease, Lenape Tech administrators will utilize $24,000 in grant funds to enhance the school’s shell security through key fobs and electronic door access and $10,000 in grant funds to allow teachers to lock classroom doors from the inside.
Thimons said she hopes enhancements and protocols are installed and introduced by the beginning of the 2016-17 school year while also looking for additional grant opportunities.
Instructor Jason Gurski will also be called upon for advice on protocols to how students can help staff in a crisis situation.
“Some of those things you don’t like to think about, but they are essential strategies we need to equip our students with,” Thimons said.
School Administrator Dawn Kocher-Taylor said administrators feel comfortable with the security enhancements, as well as Gurski’s active participation even though he is not armed.
Joint Operating Committee members would have to authorize Gurski to carry a weapon.
Local News | jweaver January 22, 2016
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