On December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, twenty students and six adults were shot and killed by twenty year-old Adam Lanza.  Sandy Hook Elementary had more security than West Lafayette High School, only allowing visitors who were buzzed into the school to enter, but Lanza broke a window and crawled through.

“I was very saddened; sickened that anyone would do anything harmful to kids.” says Happy Hollow principal Margaret Psarros.

This tragic incident raised national concern surrounding the amount of safety in schools; is there enough?

Over  the summer, Happy Hollow Elementary School remodeled their entrances, specifically to improve the security at the school. The first door into the school is always open, but to be able to walk the hallways and leave the waiting area, visitors must check-in at the office and wear a name badge.

“If a stranger is roaming the hallways without a name badge, we know they haven’t check and need to report to the office.” says Psarros. Cumberland Elementary has similar security rules in place.

It seems that WLHS is the only school that does not have strict security rules in place. The Grant Street doors are open throughout the school day, allowing anyone to enter the school without notice.

“This makes me feel nervous that someone dangerous could easily enter my classroom. I think all kids should carry pepper spray for defense in their backpack.” says Rachel Wiese ’13.

On the other hand, an anonymous parent feels that “[WLHS] should add more security protection while renovating the school over the summer.” Either way, it is clear that WLHS students and parents do not feel that they are secure enough.