Prudence: Making Our Campus Safe

Prudence is one of the classical virtues, and also a virtue valued by Christians of all eras. “Prudence,” wrote C.S. Lewis, “means practical common sense, taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it.” According to Proverbs 27:12, it is a prudent person who “foresees evil and hides himself” while “the simple pass on and are punished.”

Our desire at Regents Academy is to be prudent when it come to the safety of our students during the school day. The beginnings of a sound campus safety plan lies in prudence, as we “think out what we are doing” and attempt to “foresee evil.” The Regents board and administration have endeavored to be as prudent as possible when considering campus safety, and especially so in light of the horrific and tragic stories that confront us after all-too-frequent school shootings.

Over the last several years, Regents Academy has added a number of safety features to the campus that have enhanced its overall safety.

• Just this summer we added new security doors between the school foyer and the main hallway. The new doors remain locked during the school day and stiffen the entryway into the school. All exterior doors remain locked during the school day, which enables the staff to better monitor those who are entering the school building.

• Securely locking doors on all our classroom doors. This feature enables us to securely lock down our classrooms if necessary.

• A security system, which includes panic buttons that facilitate an immediate and stealthy call to the police. If one of the panic buttons is activated by a staff member, the police are alerted to come immediately but without an alarm sounding.

• A closed-circuit security camera system, with cameras on both the inside and outside of the building. This system enables us to monitor the front of the building; in the future we will add more cameras so we will be able to monitor more areas of the campus.

• An Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which is accessible in the school office. AED’s have become a common sight in churches, schools, and other public places, and we are glad this life-saving piece of technology is on our campus – with the hopes that we never need to use it!

• In addition, the school has a thorough safety plan, practices safety drills regularly, and requires its teachers to complete bi-yearly sexual abuse awareness training.

And speaking of teachers, our school’s staff truly is its most important safety feature. Teachers are like shepherds who vigilantly watch over their little flocks daily. On Wednesday we will dismiss school at noon so that teachers can spend the afternoon receiving CPR training. Lord willing, we will never need to use the training, but we want to be ready if that day ever comes.

Prudence will enable us to foresee many dangers and be prepared to deal with them. We can thank our school board, diligent staff members, and committed parents for helping the school be the safest place possible. Most of all, we can thank the Lord – we are in His hands daily! “You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me” (Psalm 31:3).