Recent shootings and acts of violence that have taken place in schools across the nation have prompted RHS to institute a new policy to help protect the RHS body at large.

Following the February 14 Northern Illinois University shootings, where a gunman and former student claimed the lives of six, including himself and wounding over a dozen others, the topic of a Locked Door Policy arose in an RHS leadership meeting. Upon speaking with security coordinator, Frank Hall, members of the team learned that other schools in MCPS had already established the practice of locking doors.

After thorough discussion, team members decided that establishing the Locked Door Policy would be a great idea. “This is a proactive, preventative measure,” said Principal Dr. Debra Munk. In the Locked Door Policy, after the second bell, which sounds for the start of class, teachers are supposed to lock their doors.

All personnel are to lock their doors, but not so that it disturbs the normal operation of their function. Other issues such as passes to the restroom should not be affected. As usual, students must obtain their teachers approval which is shown by a signature in the student’s agenda book.

Said Assistant Principal Bennie Green, “Doors are being locked.” So far, the policy is going well. It is created to protect students and staff from violent actions from outsiders. Locking doors makes it harder for intruders to get in. Outsiders are people who do not belong in a specific room they can be parents, strangers, or even a student who does not attend that specific class.

Subsequent to a unanimous decision to lock classroom doors, RHS is in a lockdown policy until otherwise noted. Said Dr. Munk, “However, the leadership team will be reassessing the policy in a month or so.”