Gun violence awareness increases following Newtown

In the year since the Newtown school shooting, awareness of escalating gun violence in schools has prompted South Hadley, among many, to continue to improve safety measures.

When asked about recent school shootings as well as Newtown, junior Justin Packard said, “These are bad times, and what has happened is unimaginable.” English teacher Tina Daponde said, “I am proud of my profession in that the teachers at Sandy Hook were able to focus enough to protect their children. School should be one of the safest places, so shootings must be a horribly fracturing experience.”

The high school took a step toward a safer school environment last spring. According to Officer Steve Fleming, the school’s resource officer, the South Hadley police department was given active shooting training by the MA state police department using the high school as the training ground. “Officers used service weapons that fired simunitions during the training. It gave them a real life scenario to be prepared for if a real hostile intruder situation was to occur,” said Fleming.

Along with other schools, South Hadley is required to run through two lockdown drills per year. On February 7th, the high school successfully completed a drill. Dean of students Matthew Benoit said, “the police informed us that this was one of the fastest hallway clears they have ever done.”

Officer Fleming reported that the high school “has never had a hostile intruder emergency situation.” Senior Phil Mathers said, “outside of drama, our school does not have a problem with physical violence, and not with gun violence.” The environment is seen as “safe,” and Packard said, “I think it is good that we have started keeping the doors of the classrooms locked.”

Since December 14th, 2012, there have been approximately 39 school shootings across America, killing 17 and injuring many. This translates to nearly one shooting every two weeks. Two-thirds of these shootings have occurred on high school and college campuses, with the rest being in middle and elementary schools.

Principal Diana Bonneville said, “Following the Columbine tragedy, and then Newtown, our school has repeatedly reviewed policies and procedures surrounding such an emergency. This includes practicing evacuations, working on reunification plans (reuniting parents with their children), and basically planning for the least amount of chaos.”

In addition, a crisis team within the high school meets once a month consisting of Steve Fleming, the guidance staff, Eric Castonguay, Matthew Benoit, Pat Lemieux, and Diana Bonneville.

In reaction to the recurring acts of violence around the country, Bonneville said: “One of our main objectives at this time is to be proactive, not reactive, and plan for every circumstance.”