By ELIZABETH HOVANESIAN and ALEX TORRES

Since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in which 20 children and six adults were killed on Dec. 14 of last year, many schools have revised safety plans and heightened security measures.

Although, as the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting approaches, students are feeling uneasy of the security circumstances on campus.
Supervision is definitely something that has become limited in recent months, being shown throughout the closed bathrooms and courtyards.

“I feel kind of nervous about the Sandy Hook anniversary. Although I know we are quite safe at this school, I think that security and safety should be something that is always being improved,” senior Rene Vaca said.

School safety and security is something that should not be taken lightly, according to the school’s campus aid, Madgeolyn Wooten.

“The campus opens at 7:30 and staff members lock up at 4:00 PM, unlike before students could stay in the building. Now students must be out of the building and in the grove after school” Principal Deb Smith said.

Schools are given a certain amount of teachers according to the number of students that they have. Although, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) is not eligible to have more teachers and staff than it already does and technically, teachers are also used as security during school hours. Also, in the past years, all the doors have received locks that open with cards instead of keys.

Some students arrive at school beginning 7 a.m. While other students stay after school until 5 p.m. when because of the time change, it is already dark.

However, Wooten can be seen in the parking lot on most mornings. She supervises students to get inside school safely until the first school bell rings and makes sure they are unscathed by the many cars that pass through the school parking lot.

“I think there are things that can be improved regarding security and the way the school is set up. We do need more security officers that are male as well as female. There should also be designated times for parents to come in and out so there is less activity happening,” Wooten, who is only a part-time campus aid said.

The opening of the school doors and traffic aren’t the only issues being limited.

In recent months, lack of supervision has caused only one or two restrooms to be open during passing period, which has created chaos for students.

“I have been late because of the restrooms being closed. I’ve learned that there is a long line mostly before and after lunch,” sophomore David Flores said.

Students have had no choice but to plan ahead and schedule the times that they will be using the bathrooms.