Throughout the country active threats in schools have become a growing fear in all students, including McHenry High School (MCHS) and the greater community. Specifically, students who have classes in the Center for Science, Technology and Industry at the Upper Campus feel that our school would be unsafe in the event of an active threat.

School violence is not a new issue, but it has become a more commonly discussed issue with the rise of technology and our access to news almost the second it happens. Because of its increased discussion and general awareness, there is a greater fear around schools due to the realization that gun violence can happen anywhere. MCHS’ safety protocol, created by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation makes an effort to prepare in the event of an active threat, but will the protocol be enough when the classrooms themselves aren’t safe?

In the Center for Science, Technology and Industry, many classroom walls are made of windows designed for people to be able to look inside. Though there are sliding white boards for classrooms with hallway facing windows, some of those white boards do not close to fully or easily prevent the view from the hallway.

For rooms like the Warrior Room or math drop-in center there is no specific protection for the people in those rooms. There aren’t any window covers and the doors are glass. In the event of an active threat students and teachers in these rooms wouldn’t be safe. Though teachers teaching in that room have decided on a plan in the event of a threat, a room like that should have a safety plan already made and communicated by the school, teachers shouldn’t have to do that.

With the multitude of flex areas there has been little to no communication about what to do during the event of an active threat. During the recent admin talks during AIM when discussing flexing they advised students to run, but even that might not be effective because of the flexing areas being spread widely throughout the school and the different levels. With those areas being generally out in the open there is not much to do, a matter of timing would potentially decide a student’s life or death.

While the Center for Science, Technology and Industry is amazing in a practical sense — its advances in the science department are nothing to scoff at — to complete its sleek modern look it sacrifices student safety, but student safety should be the most important thing on the school’s mind. It looks impressive and hosts amazing classes, but many students feel unsafe and that feeling won’t go away until something is done.

It’s impractical to suggest the Center for Science, Technology and Industry be remodeled or changed in large now, but MCHS could at the very least ease the tension by increasing communication and investing in adequate safety procedures. The truth is, it could always happen here.

This story was originally published on The McHenry Messenger on November 5, 2024.