Apps, innovations make Clovis schools safe place to be

Parents and guardians will be aware of many of the safety practices in our schools. They will have read documentation, heard information, listened to talks and/or received news about safety features and measures at their child’s school.

Fact is, the idea of safety in our schools has changed considerably over the years. Between the long-ago days of my own childhood, when the “iron curtain” was feared, and we were told to “duck and cover” (under our school desks) and today’s classrooms, a lot has changed.

Technology and enhanced communications have shrunk the world, creating a bit of a double-edged sword. The wonderful resources of the world are at our fingertips; however, many dangers have become infinitely more accessible, especially for our children, and it is incumbent upon us to be increasingly vigilant.

Safe and secure schools are something we take seriously in our district, and Loran Hill, director of operations, has reassessed and built upon previously established processes and procedures to ensure – in the case of any sort of emergency – we are as prepared as we can be.

Our safety guidelines packets were one of the first items revamped. Now in the form of portable, vinyl flipcharts, they are strategically located, and cover an expanded collection of information. Hanging on hooks (rather than mounted), they’re easy to grab, for vacating premises, and easy-to-use. They contain detailed building layouts, information, and procedures for campus evacuation; sheltering in place; lockdowns, and active shooter scenarios.

Hill, 24 years an educator – 17 as an administrator –

is well aware of the challenges faced at individual school sites and has put that experience to use.

Another useful innovation was placing “Go Bags/Buckets” at each site; each containing 14 pounds of emergency supply essentials: first-aid equipment, water, high-energy snacks, batteries, flashlights, and much more.

Further, all school sites have staff members identified as members of the Incident Command Team. They have had both extensive online training as well as hands-on training with FEMA last summer. In addition, each site has their own individual “Safe Schools Plan” since layouts and available resources vary from site to site.

A key addition is the “RAVE” app, paid for by the NM Public Education Department and made available to any NM school districts. Hill led the way in implementing and deploying RAVE across our district. Now, in an emergency, key individuals – within the district, as well as community emergency services, if needed – are automatically (instantly and simultaneously) notified by cell or other device, so the administrator dealing with the incident can focus on the emergency itself, rather than sitting at a landline, making dozens of notification calls.

There are other significant measures being put in place that can’t be discussed, but, suffice it say, Clovis schools are a pretty safe place to be these days.

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the Instructional Technology Coordinator for the Clovis Municipal Schools and can be reached at:

[email protected]