One button changes everything.

Governor Greg Abbot signed a bill in May 2023 that required every public and charter school in the state to incorporate silent panic alarms in classrooms. Assistant Principal Ryan Denham said Prosper ISD is fortunate enough to be able to install the alarm by this school year.

“It’s called Alyssa’s Law, and it’s based on a push from a family of a girl who passed away in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in 2018,” Denham said. “Five states have passed it.”

The silent panic alarm is a button that is connected to an emergency system in every classroom. When the button is pressed, within seconds, the school authorities, police departments and other law enforcement will be contacted about the precise location of the emergency.

In 2024, officials reported at least 46 school shootings in the United States, and four out of five school shootings included a person who knew about the incident prior, but had failed to report it. However, the panic alarm system allows you to contact authorities inaudibly within seconds of the incident.

“The only time it should be used is when there’s an emergency level of when you need a response from the police, fire department, etc., and you can’t access – you can’t call,” Denham said. “But if a call is not an option, like if you’re in a situation where someone is doing something dangerous, the idea is that you make as little noise as possible to not draw attention, so the button would be the safest solution.”

Prosper ISD has the advantage of having a police officer on every campus. On the other hand, many other schools don’t have this option.

“We’re fortunate to have our own police department that serves Prosper ISD, not every school has that,” Denham said. “So some of the schools are still working on getting a security officer or a police officer on every campus, whereas we fortunately already have that in some campuses.”

As news of the panic button begins to spread in the school community, it not only affects safety, students said it also has created an impact on their mindset – because they know the tool is available if they or their classmates needed help.

“Having an emergency alarm in classrooms makes me feel a lot safer because it means help is always nearby if something goes wrong,” sophomore Sahasra Mallareddy said. “It’s like a safety net, so I feel less scared and worried because we have a way to get help fast. It makes me trust the school even more, knowing that they’re ready to protect us.”

According to students, the emergency system also made it easier for parents to be less worried about getting unimaginable texts from their children.

The administration also said the silent alert system has created a safer learning environment for both students and staff. The idea of being able to contact and receive help within seconds allows for more protection in case of an emergency.

“A law was passed in the Texas Senate that requires either something wearable or somewhere in a room that a teacher or someone can press, and it automatically notifies authorities,” Denham said. “And, basically, their whole goal is seconds can save lives.”

This story was originally published on Eagle Nation Online on September 18, 2024.