School Safety Efforts Take Another Step Forward
Inspired by Tragedy, School Board Member Pushes for Change
Inspirational to get involved by her daughter’s death in the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Lori Alhadeff ran for a seat on the school board to focus on school safety and has maintained that goal during her time in office.
Alyssa’s Alert: A New Initiative to Enhance School Safety
"Alyssa was my daughter who was murdered at MSD High School," Alhadeff said to the board Tuesday, holding up a picture of her daughter, as she introduced a proposal to provide physical panic buttons to all school district employees who work on a school campus. The measure passed unanimously.
The device, called "Alyssa’s Alert," looks like a plastic card with a button in the center, made to hang from the lanyards that teachers and staff wear. In the event of an emergency, from a medical emergency to a school fight to an active shooter, the wearer presses the button and first responders are alerted. They will know the precise location on campus, allowing for faster response times.
Panic Buttons: A Solution to Enhance School Safety
Whatever the situation may be, the panic button will provide a quick and efficient way to alert authorities of an emergency. In Broward, it will be called "Alyssa’s Alert." The initiative is part of Alyssa’s Law, which has been passed in Florida and six other states, providing funding for school employees to have panic buttons.
A Layer of Protection for Teachers and Students
Starting in January, Broward County Public Schools employees will be receiving the panic button lanyards, an additional layer of protection for teachers and students. Alhadeff was asked if this system would have helped in the recent school shooting in Wisconsin. "So, I don’t know all the details of what happened in Wisconsin but I do know that in any one of these situations, time is of the essence, we need to get help on the scene as quickly as possible," she said.
Honoring Alyssa’s Legacy
Alhadeff was also asked if she feels like she’s honored her daughter’s legacy by her school safety efforts. "When the tragedy happened, I always wanted Alyssa to be remembered, I wanted Alyssa to never be forgotten," Alhadeff said. "And I know that Alyssa is watching and rooting me on, but at the end of the day I just wish Alyssa was here and I didn’t have to do this."
Conclusion
Lori Alhadeff’s efforts to make schools safer have taken another step forward with the approval of panic buttons for school district employees. The initiative, called "Alyssa’s Alert," aims to provide a quick and efficient way to alert authorities of an emergency, enhancing school safety for teachers and students.
FAQs
Q: What is "Alyssa’s Alert"?
A: "Alyssa’s Alert" is a panic button device that looks like a plastic card with a button in the center, made to hang from the lanyards that teachers and staff wear.
Q: What is the purpose of "Alyssa’s Alert"?
A: The purpose of "Alyssa’s Alert" is to provide a quick and efficient way to alert authorities of an emergency, enhancing school safety for teachers and students.
Q: How will the panic buttons work?
A: In the event of an emergency, the wearer presses the button and first responders are alerted. They will know the precise location on campus, allowing for faster response times.
Q: Is "Alyssa’s Alert" part of Alyssa’s Law?
A: Yes, "Alyssa’s Alert" is part of Alyssa’s Law, which has been passed in Florida and six other states, providing funding for school employees to have panic buttons.
