Pierce High School Safety
By Brayden Suckstorf
At Pierce High School, safety remains a top priority, with drills, surveillance, and security upgrades designed to keep students and staff protected throughout the school day. Pierce High School does regular drills, including fire and lockdown drills, ten times a year. Intruder, tornado, and evacuation drills are held to prepare for various scenarios.
“We take the safety of our students very seriously,” principal Mark Brahmer said. “Plans and procedures are reviewed and practiced annually to ensure the safety of our staff and students.”
To limit access during the school day, all exterior doors are locked at 8:00 a.m. A front entrance camera and doorbell allow the administrative assistant and bookkeeper to monitor visitors, who must check in and receive a visitor's pass before entering the building.
The school also uses video surveillance in all hallways, the gym, and the multipurpose room. Cameras cover the two main parking lots and the back parking lot; however, the new parking lot does not have cameras yet, which administrators plan to address as part of an upgrade.
Another security feature that is being talked about is a secure vestibule at the front doors. This system will require visitors to speak with staff in between both sets of doors before they are allowed inside through the second set of doors. This feature would add a definite layer of safety to the building.
The school also prepares for other emergencies, such as an intruder entering the commons before school or during lunch, while there are many kids in the commons. Including such scenarios in planning helps staff and students respond quickly in unpredictable situations.
“We take the safety of our students very seriously. Plans and procedures are reviewed and practiced annually to ensure the safety of our staff and students,” senior Cameron Kuehler stated.
Through regular drills and ongoing improvements, Pierce High is always finding ways to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone at Pierce High.
