This article was originally published in the Reading Eagle:
https://www.readingeagle.com/2023/11/23/superintendents-forum-grateful-for-the-role-our-school-safety-officials-play/
By: Mrs. Marybeth Torchia, Boyertown Area School District
Thursday, November 28, 2023
“School days, school days, dear old golden rule days…” If only it were as simple as “…readin’ and ‘ritin’ and ‘rithmetic,” as Gus Edwards and Will D. Cobb wrote in their song “School Days (When We Were A Couple of Kids)” in 1907.
Yes, it has been more than 115 years since those lyrics were written, and times have changed. Still, for most of us, thoughts of our school days include favorite teachers, show and tell, the principal, music class, playgrounds, zoo animal assemblies, football games, and time with our friends.
Turn back the clock by a decade, and I suspect that security guards, a school police officer and visits from local law enforcement are not the first memories to come to mind — particularly in more rural school districts like mine.
When the members of the Boyertown School District Class of 2024 reminisce, they will no doubt remember a team of security guards, three school police officers carrying weapons and frequent local and state law enforcement visits. My hope for the future is that our alums will reflect with gratitude on the connections, relationships, and safety services these now crucial resources provide.
Many do not know that safety, security and even arrests consume more and more of our time as superintendents and administrative teams. Changes in family dynamics, social media, and the mental health crisis for both students and adults have led to an ever-increasing need for both behavioral and security support. Vaping, fights, threats against our schools, Safe2Say reports and so much more are pulling at our resources like never before.
At a time when distrust and disdain for law enforcement are at an all-time high, I could not be more grateful for my team of in-house and local/state resources! It is not only about assisting in times of crisis. This team focuses on prevention and establishing relationships.
The Boyertown district team monitors our halls, handing out high-fives and personal greetings. They provide bicycle safety training for students who bike to school. They are teachers who provide cyber safety and security lessons, along with lessons on the dangers of vaping. They attend countless sporting events and other extra-curricular activities. The team provides security at school board meetings, often defusing situations before these meetings are ever called to order.
They conduct drills and offer guidance during training exercises. They work with our security consultants to identify vulnerabilities, check door locks and position cameras. They assist in communications and are there to answer questions. They serve as school greeters at the start of the day. They drive our vans and visit homes in support of attendance. They appear in court and act as child advocates. They check bathrooms and walk our students back to class.
They are counselors, mentors, friends, mediators, escorts and protectors. They are tasked with being both proactive and reactive. They are teachers, administrators and security consultants. They are spat on and hugged. They are there for it all — all day, every day.
At this year’s holiday dinner, I will express gratitude that these dedicated men and women are here to support our needs, answer our calls and help our students. Quite honestly, I could no longer do what I do without them.
If you need your faith in law enforcement restored, I am here to assist. They are heroes — one and all — on my team. To them all, I would like to say thank you for being an integral part of our school district’s team and public education. We could not educate our students without you.