After years of struggling with gun violence, many Americans are left in fear after a recent school shooting left four dead and nine hospitalized in Georgia on September 4th, 2024. The suspect was identified as 14-year-old student, Colt Gray, an attendee of Apalachee High School. Gray was taken into custody and will be charged with murder as an adult. All nine hospitalized were injured with gun wounds. However, all are expected to live.

Since the recent construction that Thomas Worthington underwent, a common question is How has the new building affected the safety and security at our school? New Principal, Josh Almanson explains that we have fewer front entrances and a lot of students that come and go throughout the day.

“Obviously we have our safety and security team that assist in that,” Almanson said. “They’re monitoring different doors, they’re seeing who’s coming and going.” 

The new three-story building contains three straight hallways. While some are upset about the feel of the new building, Almanson explains it’s actually a safety precaution. The three straight hallways allow teachers and safety staff to see down hallways clearly. It excludes the risk of hiding and suspicious activity in closed-off areas. Students are wondering if the new building will cause a re-route for an “escape plan.” According to Almanson, we will have an evacuation drill in October. The drill will contain the majority of the Worthington schools and the police and fire department will be involved as well.

School safety is affecting kids of all ages. While older students may have a deeper understanding of gun laws and violence, younger kids are left in the dark. According to SandyHookPromise.org, “Each day 12 children die from gun violence in America. Another 32 are shot and injured.” 

When reflecting on our current state of security, Almanson states, “The efforts that are made with safety and security are very necessary with anything school-related.”