Father Knows Best When it Comes to School Security

Father Knows Best When it Comes to School Security

I think as a society we have always been concerned with school security, wanting students to not only feel safe, but to actually be safe. However, with such tragedies that we have seen in our schools, from Sandy Hook Elementary to Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. to the University of Texas clock tower shootings, people are seeing the need for heightened security measures in all American schools.

In Windsor, Colo., at the Weld Re-4 School District, a unique security program was created that uses dad power to increase safety and security on their school campuses. This program, called “Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students),” is a group of dad volunteers who make their presence known on campus by walking around and keeping watch over the school.

Matt Schildt and Jerry Price have been a part of the group for a couple of years, but after the tragedies in Newtown, Conn., both are dedicating more time to this program. Not only are these superstar dads volunteering in the classroom and playing games with the children during recess, but both Schlidt and Price arrive at the school around 7:30am - rain, shine, snow, or wind - and leave around 9:00am, giving them time to greet parents and children at the door and to walk the perimeter of the campus.

“Just getting involved with the kids has been great,” Price said. “It’s amazing. When you walk into the lunchroom, they all want to give you high fives or call you by name. It’s like you’re a role model, in a sense. Almost like a superhero.”

But while these students see the dads on campus as “superheroes,” they are serving a much needed purpose…to help deter negative incidents. One principal in the district stated, “We want them to be active and very visible,” which leads to more safety and security on school campuses.

As a professional in the security industry and an ex-teacher, the issue of school security is near and dear to my heart. On a daily basis, I see tools, products, software, apps, etc. created to enhance the safety of our schools, and it delights me to know people are taking this issue seriously. But, there is something to say about the presence of dads on a school campus.

Today, more than 2,659 active programs in 46 states participate in the WATCH D.O.G.S. Program. For more information about starting this program at your child’s school, please click here.

Watch D.O.G.S. In Action

(Source: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130304/WINDSORBEACON01/303040025/2-Windsor-fathers-amp-up-school-security)

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Until We Meet Again

    A short three years ago we were all pondering whether to attend any tradeshows all thanks to COVID-19. Sorry to bring that nightmare up again, but it seems that little pandemic is in the rear-view mirror, and it’s time to meet again. Read Now

    • ISC West
  • Cyber Hygiene: What it Looks Like for IoT Devices

    Cyber Hygiene: What it Looks Like for IoT Devices

    For our second pillar about the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Pillars of Security, we are going to discuss what cyber hygiene looks like for IoT devices. Read Now

  • ISC West Announces 2023 Keynote Series Speaker Lineup

    The International Security Conference (ISC), in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA), announced five of this year’s ISC West Keynote Series speakers. ISC West will kick off its annual conference on March 28 (SIA Education@ISC: March 28-30 | Exhibit Hall: March 29-31) at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read Now

    • ISC West
  • Accelerating Security Modernization

    In recent years, the term “digital transformation” has been one of the most frequently used buzzwords across industries. On its most basic level, it refers to the reimagining of how an organization leverages its technology systems to improve business processes. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • LenelS2 BlueDiamond™ mobile app

    enelS2 has introduced its Indoor Location subscription-based service for businesses and other organizations using LenelS2’s BlueDiamond™ mobile app version 2.1.8 for smartphones. 3

  • FlexPower® Global™ Series (FPG) from LifeSafety Power

    FlexPower® Global™ Series (FPG) from LifeSafety Power

    The FlexPower® Global™ Series (FPG) from LifeSafety Power—designed to provide DC power for access control systems in international applications—is now PSE listed for Japan and compatible with the country’s 100VAC applications. 3

  • XS4 Original+

    XS4 Original+

    The SALTO XS4 Original+ design is based on the same proven housing and mechanical mechanisms of the XS4 Original. The XS4 Original+, however, is embedded with SALTO’s BLUEnet real-time functionality and SVN-Flex capability that enables SALTO stand-alone smart XS4 Original+ locks to update user credentials directly at the door. Compatible with the array of SALTO platform solutions including SALTO Space data-on-card, SALTO KS Keys as a Service cloud-based access solution, and SALTO’s JustIn Mobile technology for digital keys. The XS4 Original+ also includes RFID Mifare DESFire, Bluetooth LE and NFC technology functionality. 3