Pubdate: Sat, 06 Oct 2001 Source: Beckley Register-Herald (WV) Copyright: 2001 The Register-Herald Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd86 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1441 Author: Jeri S Bowles Over the summer, an upgrade in two-way communications in area schools was part of the on-going effort toward safe and drug-free schools. According to Miller Hall, director of pupil services for Raleigh County Schools, the elementary schools are now up to par while the junior highs and the high schools are well-established. Two-way communications can include telephones in classrooms, video cameras in hallways or administrators with two-way radios. Although it is important for there to be two-way communication systems in place in the event of emergencies, Judy Thomas, assistant principal of Beckley-Stratton Junior High, is quick to note that technology itself is not going to ensure safety in schools. "We witnessed that as a country with what happened at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon," said "We are the most advanced country in the world as far as technology and it did nothing to prevent terrorism." By the same token, as commentators expound on the need for the human element to be involved in the efforts to combat terrorism, the same holds true for safety in schools. "The human aspect is going to far surpass technology in keeping our students and our staff safe," said Thomas. Beckley-Stratton, like other schools in the county, believes in a proactive approach to school safety. "My thought has typically always been that the best way to have a safe school is to have excellent instruction first," said Principal Ron Cantley. "When we have purposeful classes, effectively delivered instruction and before-the-bell to after-the-bell instruction, school is far more likely to be safe." Security at school will not come from technology or a tough-minded bullying approach to discipline, said Cantley. "In my view it lies in the faith of the community and effective families and parenting. We have been working a long time in our community developing students who are competent, well-behaved, good people." - - - - - - A technologically strong school begins with supplementing a watchful faculty and staff already in place. "If you didn't have the people in place watching ... our idea here is to be proactive ... to prevent problems from occurring. The technology is supplementing what has already been in place," said Thomas. At Beckley-Stratton, video cameras are stationed in places where large numbers of students gather - the gymnasium, the cafeteria and large hallways. "It (the camera) is mainly used after the fact. If something occurs, we can go back and see how it occurred," said Thomas. All administrators throughout the county have two-way radios assisting constant communication in their school. In addition, some schools even have telephones in each classroom. The ability for quick and easily accessible communication can be crucial in some circumstances. "I think that it is imperative that at any given time we can reach a teacher and at any given time they can get in touch with us," said Thomas. Student perception of the schools' ability to maintain control and safety is equally important. Knowing the capability the school has to supervise in and of itself can be a deterrent in addition to the opportunity to show students what actually happened or how a problem began, said Thomas. "If we are just looking at student problems, the most important aspect of the security is the human element. You have people in place where you need them. You have to have people there prior to them being needed. That in and of itself is important," said Thomas. Schools that have highly visible teachers are likely to have students that feel safer to move about the building. "If they don't feel safe, it impedes the educational process. Student safety has got the be one of the main goals, if not the main goal." said Thomas. While the human element and technology are important, there is a third element to safe and drugfree schools that complements the mix. "You have got to look at programs that are making a difference as far as how our students react. Peer mediation, PACT (positive alternative choice training), and life-skills training - all of those things, especially at a young age, will only benefit everyone somewhere down the road." Peer mediation programs works toward students learning to solve problems and situations for themselves or by involving a mediator. PACT and life-skills training are programs that teach students what alternative choices are available and how to make good decisions for themselves. NOTE: Levy money allocates $100,000 for safe and drug free schools equipment each year. $43,000 has been allotted for the new Trap Hill Middle and Shady Jr. High's schools two-way communication equipment. $57,000 will be used throughout the county to further update schools. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth