Mayor Joy Cooper: Better Safety At Our Schools

While it was not the first Mayors meeting it was the first with the new School Board Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn and his team. We all know that there has been continued uncertainty and upheaval at the school board. I cannot tell readers what the backstory is, but I can tell you Mayors are very tuned in to working for our students. We do not have control over the school board’s actions, but we can and do have the voice for many parents that simply cannot attend meetings to advocate.

This meeting was a breath of fresh air. We finally have metal detectors rolled out in our High Schools. In our K-8 Schools, we have safety upgrades and added security on all campuses. After the state finally demanded phone policies, a policy of no phone use during school hours. They have rolled out “Discount to Reconnect.”

It is a simple concept. Students should be focused on class, their surroundings, and their fellow classmates. It is a way to re-engage and learn to connect with one another. This is between the morning bell to the end bell unless they are needed for class. This means that all cell phones need to be in airplane mode.

I personally had a debate with my eldest daughter about having no phones. Her argument included: ‘But Mom what if it is an emergency? What if I need to contact him? Remember, they had a school alert, and he was stuck in a bathroom not knowing what was happening and I was talking with him.” I looked at her and said “exactly, what if a shooter heard him talking?”
There is nothing that a student needs more than an environment focused learning. There is no true need for phones in a classroom. Parents can drop their children off and certainly give students instructions for picking up or planning safe after school activities. If those plans need to be changed that is why there are offices.

I attended the first day of school at Gulfstream Academy K-8. It was safe and all teachers and support staff were fully engaged in assisting parents that needed help. At no time was anyone without an ID allowed to enter the school. There was one entrance for Middle School Students and one for Elementary School Students. After the first bell there was only one entrance to the campus.

School safety should be at the top of the list when it comes to our children. Our cities and the school board have worked to make sure it is the priority. Our City provides School Resource Officers-SROs at the schools and collaborates extremely closely with school safety officers and the Broward Sheriff’s Office on training and communications.

With two new principals: Principal Bonny at Gulfstream Academy of Hallandale Beach K-8 and Principal Peters at Hallandale Magnet High School focused on improving school performance. It is great that they have one less distraction to address. Not only do phones distract from education, but they also create a platform for cyber bullying that needs to be stopped. While we cannot stop all phone posts we at least now have a pause during the day. Students will not be able to take pictures and videos of other students.

There is a policy that addresses violations that includes confiscation and parental notification. Multiple violations can result in suspension. All parents can contact their school offices if they need to contact their child.

At the Mayors Meeting, we also asked for a district wide Uniform Policy for all schools. Currently it is up to each school to make an annual decision. This policy creates another distraction from academics. In Hallandale Beach we have a Uniform Policy, and it helps to create a more disciplined environment at our K-8. It provides for less distraction and discipline issues. Also, less bullying over clothes. We need to collaborate with our teachers. We need to fight to ensure they have the resources to instruct our children.

As always feel free to contact me anytime with your questions and concerns via email: jcooper@cohb.org. Or at: joycooper@aol.com I’m always reachable via phone or text at: (954) 632-5700. You can learn more at: www.mayorjoycooper.com Working for you! Always Have! Always will!