From the Editors ]

Safety is key in the way we live our lives day-to-day, and it’s difficult to pinpoint where exactly our security fails or succeeds. In light of recent events, namely the presence of a firearm at the Feb. 2 basketball game held at our own school, the physical well-being of students and staff is a topic of much discussion. How can we feel safe? How can we be safe? What are the weaknesses in our provided security? What resources are available to empower the district community to feel confident in those responsible for their defense? What is to be found at the root of this issue as a whole? All of these questions are necessary to ask, and just as necessary are any answers we can get. This issue will examine the conditions under which the Francis Howell School District operates in relation to threats against faculty, students and staff, as well as illustrating the importance of being aware of the climate our community is living in. In truth, covering the topic of public safety, namely in educational institutions, is always going to be difficult, but we hope that in this fifth issue we can share what we’ve learned and we all might be the better, and possibly the safer, for it.

SINCERELY, Lorelai Finoch and Reilly Scobey