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“What's really important is that our students help us... We're all in this together, we'll all worry about safety together. So if you see something say something.” dean Paul Ferguson

by Zoe Wheeler design by Sylvia Sasse photos by Abigail Grider

The importance of adhering to changes in safety protocols this school year

School safety is one of the most important things every school has to do. Whether high school, middle school or elementary school, starting with the 2022-23 all of them have updated school safety rules. Paul Ferguson, a dean, shared his thoughts on the most important aspect of school safety. ”I think our school does a great job trying to protect our students from any type of emergency, [such as] weather or school safety. But what’s really important is that our students help us, they’re the eyes and ears of the school. We’re all in this together, we’ll all worry about school safety together. So if you see something, say something,” Ferguson said.

Student Resources Officer Eric Stevens is one of the most important figures in keeping the school safe. He urges students to collaborate with him in this task.

“If they were not aware of other schools very close to North High School, they would have had people come in. And hurt or kill other people. They very well should be aware of that, because sadly it happens. I don’t want to scare people, or make people fearful. But it could happen here,” Stevens said.

Stevens isn’t just worried for the safety of Columbus North High School; he is also worried about the safety of his own children within North’s walls.

“So if we were really relaxed and not following the rules, and letting safety problems happen, it makes it more likely it will [happen],” Stevens said. “The way we stop things from happening is by listening to rules and telling someone when you see something.”