School safety at Rosemary Hills Elementary School

[Anonymous]

Parent of two toddlers here, wondering whether to start our children or RHES or private school.

My primary concern? School safety. Specifically with regard to preventing mass shootings. 94% of school shootings in America have taken place at public schools.

Can anyone speak to the security at the school from this lens? Are there armed police on site all day? Do a couple of armed officers walk around the building while school is in session? Metal detectors as students walk through the school? Do teachers keep their doors locked while class is in session? Are the school’s doors locked after arrival? How are children monitored while they are at recess?

I so wish we didn’t have to consider this as a factor. But this is 2024 in America.

[Anonymous]

OP what kind of school situation did you grow up in?

[Anonymous]

No no no yes yes no

[Anonymous]

The well of parental anxiety is deep and wide

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The well of parental anxiety is deep and wide

For good reason

[Anonymous]

MCPS has no serious or meaningful security supports at the elementary level.

If you’re not willing to accept that reality then look elsewhere. I have no idea what the security situation looks like at private schools tho.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has no serious or meaningful security supports at the elementary level.

If you’re not willing to accept that reality then look elsewhere. I have no idea what the security situation looks like at private schools tho.

I would would suggest going to the private school board to ask about which private schools have the best security. I'm guessing it would be Jewish schools because synagogue are at a higher risk of being attacked. Probably Muslim schools too

[Anonymous]

Could be a troll
Or a good question.
The opposite seems to be true in ES - there are fewer adults or "security" personnel at front doors when students are entering in morning and possibly the same could be said at dismissal. Staffing shortage? Don't know about RHES but parents have asked about lax entry areas at other ES. Don't recall any changes being made though. Occasionally you may see someone from admin outside school greeting students but no designated "security" person as far as parents we have talked to have seen. Call school and talk to Principal if you have questions and concerns.

[Anonymous]

You need help for your mental health and anxiety.

I hope you’re not passing this along to your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need help for your mental health and anxiety.

I hope you’re not passing this along to your kids.

DP. To PP: And we all hope you're not passing your indifference to your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of two toddlers here, wondering whether to start our children or RHES or private school.

My primary concern? School safety. Specifically with regard to preventing mass shootings. 94% of school shootings in America have taken place at public schools.

Can anyone speak to the security at the school from this lens? Are there armed police on site all day? Do a couple of armed officers walk around the building while school is in session? Metal detectors as students walk through the school? Do teachers keep their doors locked while class is in session? Are the school’s doors locked after arrival? How are children monitored while they are at recess?

I so wish we didn’t have to consider this as a factor. But this is 2024 in America.

If you have "toddlers" then you probably have a few years to figure this out. Ask the principal and PTA about specific safety measures at your school. While schools may differ, you will not find "armed police on site all day" or "armed officers walking around the building" at MCPS elementary schools (and I have never heard of metal detectors at ES; maybe some of the bigger high schools?). But all ES have locked entrance doors with a buzzer and generally have some sort of security system (e.g. camera) to screen people who are requesting access.

At our ES, the front office is in a vestibule and there are large locked doors leading to the classrooms. So, someone who manages to pass through the initial security check could (I suppose) take out the front office staff but has to then deal with the gigantic locked doors leading to the classrooms.

Note that while I don't have kids attending a private school, I don't know whether their physical security is any better. Of course, private schools have the ability to expel problem kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need help for your mental health and anxiety.

I hope you’re not passing this along to your kids.

DP. To PP: And we all hope you're not passing your indifference to your kids.

Geeze. It's not black or white. Thinking that elementary schools have armed guards walking around is a bit extreme as I've never heard of that at MCPS or anywhere really. Doesn't mean someone who points out that this is a little wacky is "indifferent."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of two toddlers here, wondering whether to start our children or RHES or private school.

My primary concern? School safety. Specifically with regard to preventing mass shootings. 94% of school shootings in America have taken place at public schools.

Can anyone speak to the security at the school from this lens? Are there armed police on site all day? Do a couple of armed officers walk around the building while school is in session? Metal detectors as students walk through the school? Do teachers keep their doors locked while class is in session? Are the school’s doors locked after arrival? How are children monitored while they are at recess?

I so wish we didn’t have to consider this as a factor. But this is 2024 in America.

No your kid is not safer in private grow up find your brain

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of two toddlers here, wondering whether to start our children or RHES or private school.

My primary concern? School safety. Specifically with regard to preventing mass shootings. 94% of school shootings in America have taken place at public schools.

Can anyone speak to the security at the school from this lens? Are there armed police on site all day? Do a couple of armed officers walk around the building while school is in session? Metal detectors as students walk through the school? Do teachers keep their doors locked while class is in session? Are the school’s doors locked after arrival? How are children monitored while they are at recess?

I so wish we didn’t have to consider this as a factor. But this is 2024 in America.

If you have "toddlers" then you probably have a few years to figure this out. Ask the principal and PTA about specific safety measures at your school. While schools may differ, you will not find "armed police on site all day" or "armed officers walking around the building" at MCPS elementary schools (and I have never heard of metal detectors at ES; maybe some of the bigger high schools?). But all ES have locked entrance doors with a buzzer and generally have some sort of security system (e.g. camera) to screen people who are requesting access.

At our ES, the front office is in a vestibule and there are large locked doors leading to the classrooms. So, someone who manages to pass through the initial security check could (I suppose) take out the front office staff but has to then deal with the gigantic locked doors leading to the classrooms.

Note that while I don't have kids attending a private school, I don't know whether their physical security is any better. Of course, private schools have the ability to expel problem kids.

Except during drop-off doors open to allow large number of students entering. An adult inside around main area (we have seen an art teacher there, maybe she was there for another reason tho) monitoring but that isn't a security guard at least not in uniform.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of two toddlers here, wondering whether to start our children or RHES or private school.

My primary concern? School safety. Specifically with regard to preventing mass shootings. 94% of school shootings in America have taken place at public schools.

Can anyone speak to the security at the school from this lens? Are there armed police on site all day? Do a couple of armed officers walk around the building while school is in session? Metal detectors as students walk through the school? Do teachers keep their doors locked while class is in session? Are the school’s doors locked after arrival? How are children monitored while they are at recess?

I so wish we didn’t have to consider this as a factor. But this is 2024 in America.

I’d like to caution you about reading too much into that statistic. It doesn’t mean private schools are vastly safer than publics. Only 10% of PK-12th grade students in the US attend private schools, and there are 3 public schools for every private. Of course there will be many more shootings at publics. Additionally, privates can be selective about who they enroll and they can easily get rid of any student who causes trouble, unlike publics.

Even the presence of armed police officers isn’t a solution; look at Parkland and Uvalde.

What you should know about MCPS is that children participate in lockdown drills, even in kindergarten. They are taught what to do if they’re in the bathroom during a lockdown. There is no drill for what to do if they’re outside on the playground and they hear gunshots. There are security measures in place at entrances to slow down anyone who tries to force their way in.

Sensible gun control and easily accessible mental health care would make our children safer.