From the facts provided here above, we can distinctly observe and identify a major problem at the Shoreline Elementary School which revolves around aspects of insecurity within the school premises. Additionally, such a case would be primarily associated and attributed to the previous incident at Rick Gang which was majorly considered to be a looming terrorist attack at the institution. It is therefore a major duty entrusted upon the administration to formulate a notable solution and mechanism that would thus ensure that all individuals within the school are safe, secure and even well protected from any of such case scenarios. Similarly, we would also proceed to direct our attention onto some of the crucial procedures that need to be implemented with aid of all stakeholders so as to come up with a viable emergency response plan to foster easier evacuation and other responses in case of other unexpected emergencies.
In order to perfectly handle this situation, we ought to primarily examine the already existing emergency plan as well as its levels of effectiveness in case of such responses. Learning institutions like Shoreline Elementary School are expected to have response plans which can be perfectly executed in the event that a threat or emergency arises within the school premise. Such will not only be able to save on numerous lives of the staff and students but also the school property which would also be at the blink of being damaged or even consumed within such risky and dangerous ordeals. It is believed that most of the learning institutions that operate within the USA are initially expected to prove that they have an executable response plan in the event that an emergency arises. The plan should also be in a position to allow coordination with the local response agencies. In coming up with decisions that seek to protect human life, the acting Principal and other stakeholders should ensure that they correspond with the available educational policies within state while taking into consideration the interests of the children and staff at the school. On the other hand, considering similar incidents in the past may be beneficial in appraising the effectiveness of any available plan while also reviewing any recommendations made available by NASRO and other organizations which prescribe best practices when it comes to protecting school children and effective response to emergencies.
In the event that such institutions opt to develop policies which guide on operations revolving around such issues, they are initially expected to correspond with existing legislations that focus on such matters within the state. With regards to this case, the school might be expected to adopt searches on persons and their property while they are within the premises. Nevertheless such checks ought to be facilitated in a manner that complies with the provision of the Fourth Amendment as established and encompassed in the decision by the Supreme Court in the matter of New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985). In fostering the security of the entire place, the school is expected to assign personnel who would conduct routine searches and checks on each and every single person entering the school compound. The same can be only be validated to extents whereby it has been considered to be reasonable altogether. As a result, the school might as well opt to conduct such searches based on the fact that it has been guided by the precepts of laws revolving around such matters.
Analysis of the Case
This current position at Shoreline Elementary focuses on the need to establish and put in place a response plan that can be executed with great levels of ease in case such terror flight instances are seen to arise. The institution is expected to take into consideration some of the federal laws and legislations that revolve around establishing emergency preparedness plans against any terror-related cases. Such would then protect the precious lives of our children as well as preventing some of the property from damage. The National Association of School Resource Officers have strived to urge the US Congress to adopt Homeland Security laws that would also extend to cover learning institutions within the area. Such would thus enhance major financial aid which can then be used to facilitate training that would curb terrorism.
The school administration is also expected to bring on board quite a number of individuals of stakeholders who can play a prime role towards the effective mitigation of incidents and attacks in a very professional way. A security steering group can be put in place to focus on coordinating all processes within the plan while also taking full responsibility in the management of such incidents. Such a group shall also arrive at final decisions that ought to be implemented in the event that such related attacks arise. The Principal will therefore be in a position to also coordinate the operations within the teams within the institution as he is said to be well conversant with the premises. With the aid of emergency response experts, he can progressively review all forms of documentation that refers to the incident and thereafter appoint a handler of the response mission. Similarly, the communication channels to be utilized by response team in such times should be well outlined to avoid any form of inconvenience altogether
With the handler being present at the ground, he is set to make sure that all the processes spelt out in the emergency response plan are followed. Similarly, he will be expected to present updates in line with how such cases are being handled after effective evacuation of persons at the premises. The principal is also expected to have a team of people who can handle and check the status of the persons who might have been affected or even traumatized in a way or the other at the scene.
With regards to handling fear in instances, we ought to focus on creating awareness in line with the existence of such scenarios while also enlightening and educating persons on how to be always prepared for such cases as well as how to respond in the event that they occur. Similarly, the handlers will be entrusted with the task of talking to all the parties affected by the attack and thereafter presenting them for some form of counselling to restore their states of mind. Apart from focusing on beefing up the security situation at the school alongside the emergency preparedness, reasonable searches and seizures may be conducted only in the event that there arises probable cause. There is also need for the administration to sensitize its students on the need to be more vigilant and report any activity that might as well be seen as suspicious.
The most probable way to approach such issues would be through conducting emergency preparedness training within the institution while also sensitizing and informing the students on the need to always stay on the watch out for any form of terror-related acts. As Henry Trump notes, encouraging the school community to talk about the possibility of terror attacks is more effective than denying the existence of such a reality. As part of the sensitization process, we can invite security experts to teach students about terror attacks in schools, how they happen, the likely outcomes of such an attack and how they can be avoided. With effective means of communication in such cases, there will be minimum cases of tension and disruption when it comes to effectively responding to such incidents.
Works cited
Hanson, L, K. (2009). Pearson. A Casebook for School Leaders: Linking the ISLLC Standards to Effective Practice. Third Edition. Pearson Copyright.
NASRO (2017). School Policing Fails When Not Done Right. Retrieved from:
https://nasro.org/news/in-the-media/school-policing-fails-not-done-right-nasro-usc/
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325 (1985)
Trump, K.S. (2011). Proactive School Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning. Corwin
Press.
