5 Reasons Why you Need a Silent Panic Alert System for Back to School

Are you worried about safety as your students return to the classroom after years of virtual and hybrid learning? If so, you’re not alone. More and more schools across the country are implementing silent panic alert systems to alleviate growing safety concerns. Educators, parents, and the larger community are all alarmed about school violence—especially school shootings.

It’s easy to see why:

• There were more school shootings with casualties in 2021 than in any other year since data collection began in the early 2000s.

• Approximately one-third of teachers report that they experienced at least one incident of verbal harassment or threat of violence from students during the pandemic, with 14 percent reporting incidents of physical violence from a student.

• Approximately  37 percent of administrators reported at least one incident of harassment or threat of violence from a student, and more than 40 percent reported harassment or threats from a parent.

• 41 percent of school violence incidents happened in the first week back to school following a break.

Another concern stems from the trauma and isolation children have experienced during the pandemic, leading to more behavioral incidents and acting out on school property.

School safety is on everyone’s mind. The question is what actions districts can take to create a safer environment, ensure the fastest response, and do all we can to assure better outcomes in case of a school shooter or other emergency.

With various options available, many K-12 schools are opting for new technology solutions, especially mobile apps that put immediate help in the palm of a teacher’s or administrator’s hand–not just in a hard-to-access drawer or under a desk.

5 Convincing Reasons Why Silent Panic Alert Systems Are Essential

In addition to active shooter incidents, panic buttons can help schools prepare for other emergencies, such as severe weather events, fires, fights, accidents, an intruder in the building, or medical emergencies.

Whether the incident is life-threatening or not, there are at least several reasons why silent panic alert systems are a good idea for every K-12 school. They allow school personnel to take action whether or not the incident is life-threatening. A well-designed automated system provides the ability to:

1. Immediately trigger an alert: Every second counts when there’s an emergency, every second counts. Using an intuitive, automated alert device saves valuable time when reporting, monitoring, and responding to critical incidents.
2. Notify the right people: Devices can send detailed, situation-specific notifications directly to a custom list of recipients, such as 911, local law enforcement, school administration, incident or security managers, the superintendent, or someone else.
3. Empower and Alert Staff Quickly: With many teachers reluctant to return to the classroom, Mobile alert technologies can reassure them that they and their colleagues can immediately and discretely report a dangerous situation, get instructions, and know that help is on the way
4.  Give responders correct information: Automated panic alert systems can provide first responders with specific, real-time information about the type, status, and exact location of the emergency. Responders take action more quickly and make better decisions when they receive immediate detailed information.
5. Communicate with Parents: A poll by Gallop suggests that 35 percent of parents now fear for their children’s safety at school. Schools may experience a mad rush or organized chaos as they try to communicate threats or incidents to parents. Share with them that each school location is equipped with the right safety tools and technology.

Is a Silent Panic Alert System Right for Your District?

No doubt that safety is high on your priority list as full-time, in-class learning returns. All districts are evaluating their safety needs, especially when it comes to easy incident reporting, quick response, and taking actions that result in the best outcomes should the worst happen. Perhaps it’s time for you to join other districts that use mobile technology solutions such as the 911-Direct Panic Alert System from STOPit solutions.