Behind the Scenes: How Security Officers Keep Elementary Schools Safe
Behind the Scenes: How Security Officers Keep Elementary Schools Safe
Tristan Chavez
Ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff is a top priority for Gilbert Public Schools. To safeguard the school communities that make up GPS, the dedicated Safety and Security team works to create a safe and secure environment for all 26 elementary schools.
School security officers fulfill a multifaceted role, completing often unnoticed tasks that play a crucial role in ensuring students and staff remain safe throughout the school year. From checking every single door and gate on campus to ensuring safety procedures are being followed, security officers conduct meticulous checks at multiple schools every single day. The Safety and Security team also helps in other areas to ensure students and staff are safe like helping the flow of traffic during student drop off and pick up, placing work orders for broken or dangerous equipment, and conducting regular checkups on tools used at every school.
Even during the most routine procedures, the Safety and Security team goes above and beyond to make sure everyone on campus is safe. The Arizona Department of Education requires lockdown drills to be conducted every quarter. The GPS Safety and Security team conducts more drills than is required by the state to instill a “muscle memory” in staff members of what to do in an emergency. To test the true readiness of staff in an emergency, the Safety and Security team also conducts unannounced lockdown drills. Every single drill is taken seriously by the team as they work in collaboration with local law enforcement and complete a comprehensive debriefing process to identify areas for improvement.
"Just with their presence on campus, the security officers make a big difference in how we’re able to run our schools,” said Wendy Norburg, principal of Mesquite Elementary. “Safety is so much more proactive now than ever before. It’s a tremendous weight lifted off our shoulders knowing they are here and we can lean on them for support.”
Beyond their security duties, officers play a crucial role in fostering a positive and supportive campus. Building strong relationships with students, staff, and parents is essential for creating a safe and welcoming environment. By being approachable and accessible, security officers encourage students to seek help when needed, whether it's a bullying incident, a personal crisis, or simply needing someone to talk to.
Effective collaboration with school administrators, teachers, and support staff is also vital for maintaining a secure campus. Regular communication and shared decision-making ensure that everyone is working together to identify and address potential safety concerns. By building trust and rapport with the entire school community, security officers contribute to a sense of safety and well-being for everyone on campus.
"Our security team is a vital component of our district's commitment to student safety," said Dr. Jason Martin, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education at Gilbert Public Schools. "Their dedication to their roles and ability to build strong relationships with our school communities is invaluable. We are proud of the work they do to create safe and secure learning environments for all our students."
The Safety and Security team works diligently to ensure the safety of each of the GPS elementary schools. Junior High schools and High schools are each assigned a team of security officers in addition to a School Resource Officer from local police departments. To learn more about Safety and Security at GPS, visit GilbertSchools.net/Families/Safety-Security.