Learn about the new security plans for Aiken County schools
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - With families getting ready for the first day of school now, some campuses are using this time to add an extra layer of security for the year.
But for students who attend Kennedy and Schofield middle schools in Aiken County, walking into the school may be a little different than before.
“Kennedy and Schofield got what we call vestibules. Vestibules are an additional layer of security that prevents access to the building where our faculty and students are,” said Director of Security and Emergency Management Vicky Gaskins.
The Aiken County school district has boosted security by adding vestibule doors.
“It’s an additional layer of security. It’s not a foolproof plan but it is an additional layer. We are always looking at ways to improve security,” she said.
A glass vestibule entry is an empty, small, enclosed chamber at the building’s entryway, with glass walls separating the main interior from the exterior.
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The vestibule design is different at each school, but it often includes a security door that can only be unlocked from a reception area.
Schools will also change the language used to respond to school emergencies.
“It is adopted through the ’I Love You Guys Foundation’ and has five action plans that we will follow to respond to emergencies,” Gaskins said.
The new phrases are hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter which will help students to know how to respond in different scenarios.
An advantage of these doors is increased safety for children and faculty .
The chances of a security breach are considerably lower when controlling who enters a building.
Gaskin says vestibule doors are coming to other schools, too.
But first, officials will monitor Schofield and Kennedy to see how things change with the new security points.
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Ultimately, the goal for school vestibules is to improve safety and create a more focused and productive learning environment.
By providing an added layer of security, schools can help to ensure that their students and staff are safe and protected.
“We want them to be able to come to school and not worry if their school is safe or not,” Gaskins said.
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