New security aims to make campus safer

By Macy Shupe

To secure the safety of students, the county and school administration have made changes around campus.

New safety measures at Varina include campus sign-in procedures and the replacement of AIP with FOCUS. Also, school security and resource officer vacancies were filled.

All Henrico County schools have adopted a buzzer system. To gain entrance to the main office, visitors are buzzed in by main office attendants Vivian Brown and Mallory Nolte. Legitimate visitors enter the office, scan their ID’s and receive a visitor’s pass with their photo.

“As we’re becoming more familiar with the system, some of the regular parents are getting used to having to scan their ID’s,” Mrs. Nolte said.

The administration has replaced AIP with FOCUS, an alternative education program for students who receive in-school suspension. FOCUS stands for “Firm Organized Character Modification Training for Unlimited Success.”

FOCUS instructor Jeff Edmonds said students must complete all class work, two rounds of community service or restitution and counseling for anger management, conflict resolution and social skills.

Mr. Edmonds said the main goal is for students to understand the consequences of their actions.

“In my opinion, AIP was just a closing area for kids who were displaced. I want to take it a little further by taking action on trying to get an idea for the reason why we keep getting the same students coming over to the old AIP and now the new FOCUS,” Mr. Edmonds said.

New School security officer Corky Dismute said safety is good for learning.

“[School Safety is] important because if the students don’t feel safe, they can’t concentrate and may not come to school, which will prevent teachers from teaching and students from learning,” Mr. Dismute said .

Safety coordinator and math teacher Tammy Wallace meets monthly with staff members to discuss safety concerns.

“I feel Varina is extremely safe with Mrs. Brown continuously monitoring the front parking lot, our school security officers and Dream Team roaming the campus and school resource officers,” Mrs. Wallace said.