Gang Violence in Public Schools is on the Increase

Metal detectors will now be part of the security procedure for students in the Brentwood school district. A shooting incident Friday outside the public library is forcing the added security measure, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported. There will be “random searches with the metal detector as well as a handheld one,” said schools Superintendent Levi McIntyre.

The district is also beefing up other security measures and asking for added police patrols. “We will be working very closely with the police,” said Helen Moss, school board president. Stronger deterrents are needed to combat growing gang violence, officials say.

Guardian Angel's leader Curtis Sliwa said. yesterday that "The problem in Brentwood, Central Islip, Bayshore and Wyandanch is that both the Latino and black gangs have had now, in some instances, three generations of gang members from the same family. The grandfather, father and new son. They are rooted into the surrounding public school systems which is where they recruit inside and outside of the campus. 

Parents want school choice and a voucher or tax incentive program now more than ever as many public schools are becoming breeding grounds for drugs and violence. Many students no longer feel safe in school.  Upper Room Christian School will be offering a $500 discount off it's already lowest private school tuition for any family from Brentwood, Central Islip, Bayshore and Wyandanch wanting to enroll their children in the school for the rest of the 2016-2017 school year to try to help parents be able to afford a safer and God centered environment for their children.

School Safety

School Safety is a big and important issue nowadays. And it should be!! However school safety should include more than just a safe school building but it should include and insure the safety of each student and staff member inside. It also should be defined as Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Safety. A great school will insure that each person inside the school building is physically safe, emotionally safe and spiritually safe.

Physical Safety involves security of the building and grounds. It also includes an environment that is free of possible hazards. It trains the school and staff in proper drills that will allow for a proper exiting of the building or sheltering in place in an emergency as well as a good means of communications with the fire and police departments that service the school.

Emotional Safety involves a loving, caring environment that inhibits taunting or the bullying of students. It provides an atmosphere where students can learn unhindered by inappropriate remarks and that fosters a positive sense of community and togetherness.

Spiritual Safety involves the teaching of the truth as it relates to absolutes as opposed to "situational ethics". Where everyone is respected while not condoning an anything goes attitude of "if it feels good, it must be good". It requires an atmosphere that fosters a relationship with the creator not one that inhibits it.

Here at Upper Room Christian School we strive to be such a school! We want our students to be and feel safe especially in a world where fear and anxiety is rampant, gang violence and drug use is on the rise and teenage rape is at an all time high.

Proverbs 1:33 But whosoever hearkens to me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

10 Reasons to choose a Christian Education Reason #4 Safety

Simply put, Christian schools are a safer place for your children to receive an education. In addition to physical well-being, Christian Schools offer a much safer emotional and spiritual environment. While not devoid of problems they are far less likely to occur, and far more likely to be met with firm disciplinary action. Our goal is to provide a safe, loving and caring environment that is conducive for greater academic success, emotional well-being and spiritual growth.

School Safety

Today we had our 5th Fire Drill. Fire Drills are an integral part of our schools safety plan. The first two are announced and instructions are given to the students and staff prior to the alarm being sounded. The next 4 are unannounced. We try to stay under 2 minutes for the complete evacuation of our building. We do 6 by Mid October and then another 4 (1 announced) between March and May.

Student safety and school security are a primary concern here at Upper Room Christian School! We have 32 closed circuit digital camera's that are monitored during school hours and record 24/7. We do bus drills twice a year, 10 fire drills a year and 1 emergency evacuation each year. We are also a part of the Suffolk County Emergency Alert System which allows the fire/rescue and police to contact us and us to contact them using a special 800MHz Trunked Radio System.

We also do bully prevention classes, classes regarding proper sexual behavior, conflict resolution, substance abuse classes which include "say no to tobacco, drugs and alcohol"  and do periodic locker searches.

As a result we are blessed to say that in over 33 years we have never had a student injured due to a fight or an emergency in school, never had a substance or gang related problem and do not have a problem with bullying or sexual misconduct on campus.

Is Upper Room Christian School a Safe Place for Your Child?

Safety is always a paramount concern for parents. At first, we think of physical safety and
security. That’s because we have become accustomed to the TV images of metal detectors at school entrances and airports. We’ve heard about the tragedies at shopping malls over the Christmas season. Security can mean that buildings have controlled access and diligence and authority is practiced by personnel. At Upper Room we take information and security training seriously and attend NYS and Homeland Security courses annually. The school has over 29 closed circuit digital cameras monitoring the perimeter, halls and rooms. They are overseen by our security people from 7am-10pm and continue to record throughout the night. We are hotwired to both our local police and fire department which is a quarter of a mile away. We participate in SCAN Suffolk County Alert Network and can communicate instantly with emergency services via e-mail and phone.

It can also mean that physical and verbal bullying will not be tolerated on school grounds or
public venues. Because Upper Room Christian School is smaller and much more personal, it is generally safer because every student is well known by teachers and staff. But, we know there are exceptions – everyone must still be vigilant. Students should be watched and questioned to be sure that health social relationships are being formed. This should happen at home as well as at school. Erratic changes in behavior should be observed and addressed.

However, there is another security to consider; emotional and spiritual. Each morning we pray that the angel of the Lord would encamp around our school to protect and keep us safe. Your child is prayed for over and over throughout the day and beyond because we know that our Holy God is the ultimate protector. Find another school where every aspect of your child’s security is addressed.

You've found Upper Room Christian School where your faith and the classroom have the perfect intersection.

Grace and Peace,

Ed