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On Sept. 16, Flathead High School students and staff were bombarded with the sounds of random bells echoing through the hallway — their first experience with new crisis drills put in motion this year. Inside classrooms, students as well as teachers looked around in confusion as to what these bells meant.
“I don’t mind the drills because I get out of class,” said junior Aaron Wiebe, “but I think it is useless because I don’t think anyone will come in with a gun.”
Some teachers felt they were not as prepared as some of the students.
“I gave myself a ‘C’ on the drill,” said English teacher David Colburn. “The students had to remind me to do some of the things.”
Both FHS and KJHS have taken precautions this year in order to ensure the safety of students and staff. The KJHS staff now locks most doors during school hours, and phones have been installed in each room for better communication between the main office and teachers.
“Safety and being smart are really important, said Principal Moselle DePriest. “Keeping the students and the staff safe is my concern.”
Because of a population of about 2,100 and the lack of a PA system, the bell system seemed the best option for FHS.
“We should be proactive by being able to move along in the best and safest possible manner,” said Principal Gary Martin.
Despite some debate among students and staff over the usefulness of the bells, many agree the crisis drills may well create a safer environment.
“I am glad that we have these drills,” said English teacher Rhonda Pettinato. “But if the Capital in Washington, D.C., wasn’t safe, then how can we think that we would be safe.”
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