Because of security concerns, the district has implemented a new security badge system from Centegix.
“We hope that the badges will provide teachers and staff with some comfort knowing that they can get some quick assistance with situations that could be harmful to others,” Assistant Principal Wendell Joubert said.
The badges can help in any situation. With three clicks of a button, the cards send administrators an immediate signal for help.
“The Centegix Badges allow teachers to alert administrators that assistance to an emergency is needed,” Joubert said. “It could be that a student is having a seizure which will alert administrators to send a nurse.”
Many students are unaware of the security badge system put into place. In life-threatening situations, faculty will click the button eight times. At this point, a voice comes over the intercom announcing shelter in place, staff badges vibrate, a new strobe light system flashes and a lockdown message is displayed on faculty computers.
“I heard about them but I didn’t know what they looked like or what they did,” junior Destiny Gregg said. “But it is necessary since it can make everything easier and safer, as well as helping conflict be resolved quickly.”
Before, every classroom had emergency buttons that would call the front office, but they wouldn’t receive help automatically, unlike with the badges.
“The class emergency buttons still work but I prefer the security badges,” AVID Teacher Tiffany Pena-Bui said.
The security badges, which use Wi-Fi, are anticipated to help relieve stress for teachers.
“We learned about them in our teacher in-service beforehand,” Pena-Bui said. “I haven’t seen it in use but it should help things move quicker (in an emergency).”
Staff are expected to have badges on them while on school property. They must be worn or kept above the waist to prevent them from being accidentally activated.
“It creates a better and safer environment knowing we have the security badge system and that the students can’t abuse the power of the badge,” Gregg said,
Joubert said he thinks the badges will make the community safer.
“The staff and students have started the school year off with a spirit of excellence,” Joubert said. “We want to keep moving forward to ‘Control the Narrative’ of who we (THS) are.”
