LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – The first day of school can be stressful for students and parents, but since the Uvalde tragedy, safety has become a top priority for schools. Laredo Independent School District (LISD) has introduced several new safety measures to ensure a secure environment.
LISD has installed metal detectors at elementary and middle schools and weapons detectors at high schools. Additionally, a new app allows teachers to quickly call for help if needed.
Dr. Óscar Pérez, Executive Director for Health and Safety at LISD, emphasized the importance of safety being a joint effort. “This year, we are going to continue with the silent panic alert technology which includes downloading the app on your phone so that we can have access and communicate immediately to our emergency responders, our administration, and our district team,” Dr. Pérez said. “We also have the opportunity to train on the computer as well.”
Valeria Caramillo, a fifth-grade teacher at JC Martin Elementary, reflected on the impact of the Uvalde tragedy. Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles, teachers who lost their lives in the shooting, were once her colleagues when she was a fourth-grade teacher. “Something tragic happens and it makes you think—life is so short,” Caramillo said. “It makes you rethink their safety procedures and implementing everything into place to be proactive and avoid any tragic incidents like that.”
The district hopes these new measures will keep everyone safe at their campuses and offices.
LISD employs 52 police officers and over 72 security guards across its schools.
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