To: Principal Stacey Johnston of Sinclair Elementary at East Central ISD
From: Bianca Triana, Latasha Moffett, and Mia Ruiz
Subject: Proposal for Metal Detectors at our School
Date: November 25, 2018
Dear Mrs. Johnston
Sinclair Elementary needs more security for our children. As the school's newly renovated, we believe there is ways to add security and ensure our children are safe. It is unfortunate that many of our fellow ISD’s have lost many loved ones due to school shootings. We want to prevent the event from happening in Sinclair. We as parents would feel safer if metal detectors are installed at every point of entry and exit of our school.
Introduction
Metal detectors will be able to identify any weapons coming in the building. Each metal detector will be installed at every point of entry and exit, with a security guard at each one to confiscate any harmful materials. The children will be alarmed the first time, we would have to introduce the metal detectors to them in a video to ease them into the security that will be added. The metal detectors will be a great addition to our school. We as parents will feel much safer dropping of our children in a school with added security. School shootings are very much preventable, and this will be a feature that will prevent a shooting in our beloved school Sinclair Elementary.
Description of Proposed Solution/Work/Results
After carefully researching several metal detectors to keep our children and teaching staff safe, we would like to propose a unit by Protective Technologies International, the Garrett PD 6500i. According to the description of this product it will provide professional security by detecting 33 pinpoint zones. This walk-through metal detector will optimize the protection of our children and staff by fully scanning on the left and right sides of the individual. This dual scanning power will provide the power of two in one. This unit has been evaluated as meeting an ECAC/EU, TSA, STAC and CJIAC performance standard. To review and evaluate this unit please visit the following website (https://www.pti-world.com/product/garrett-pd-6500i/). Along with the purposed metal detectors install it will also require a live guard to be only duty at all times to help apprehend perpetrators and confiscate any potentially harmful metal objects. These guards presence will also provide added protection at the schools as well. We would also like to propose to change the school drop off and pick up times to accommodate scanning children and parents during the school day. Our main goal is protecting and keeping our children and teaching staff safe.
Project benefits
Being proactive for school safety, we would like to propose installing metal detectors at all points of entry in Sinclair Elementary. We feel the presence of the detectors will serve as a deterrent for the children and assailants. The detectors will also show the children, staff and community our school cares about their safety. We want them to know we are taking some type of proactive measures to keep them safe .By installing the metal detectors at all points of entry of our school we will be able to detect any metal objects that are not supposed to be on the school’s campus. Let’s face it, any metal objects that should not be on school grounds are more than likely to cause harm to humans. When children and staff arrive at campus we cannot tell what is concealed on them. We also cannot read their minds to determine if they are at a mental breaking point of doing harm to themselves and others around them. Therefore, metal detectors will allow us the parents, children, and staff of the school peace of mind to know that everyone that enters that school has been screened. We must be proactive about protecting our families from gun violence. The number of school shootings to date has grown tremendously since the 1840s. This is not a new problem. The numbers of incidents and deaths have just increased to an all-time high and there seems to be no solution in sight coming from our lawmakers. We have to do something to protect ourselves until we become a priority on their list to keep our children safe.
Method
In order to go about installing the security systems, we plan to have a team of highly trained officials who specialize in security installation. The team will come in on a Friday evening when school has let out in order to perform the project so they are able to run tests through the weekend. If the work is done during school hours it will not only become a distraction to the students, but a safety hazard as well. Most of the entrances will be blocked while they have a team working making it difficult for students to go about their day. They will have the team come in to install the entire system as quickly and efficiently as possible. They will ensure everything works correctly. During the weekend, since the school will be empty, they will need to run as many tests as possible in order to make sure each and every device runs flawless.
Costs
One metal detector costs approximately $3683.12. We purpose to install two at the main entrances, in order to get the students in and out quickly to avoid traffic jams. This install will also require a armed guard, one for each metal detector in order to confiscate illegal items and keep the students safe. The salary for an armed guard is typically $18-$25 an hour. The guards will need to be at the school from the time the school opens and until the last student leaves.
According to an article in the Texas Tribune, Kay Granger, a U.S. rep. introduced a proposal for a new grant that “would fully fund the installation for schools that have their detailed security plans approved by federal officials.” Our plan is to send our detailed proposal to the federal officials and hope we are approved for this grant. Just in case our plans our denied, we will use school fundraisers such as bake sales, school events, and auctions to raise the money. We will also start a GoFundMe page to take donations for the safety of our students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we believe that the metal detectors and security are extremely important to help keep our students safe. Metal detectors are able to warn us if someone is bringing a weapon into our building and they will help prevent any harm that could possibly come to the children. We wish to keep our school a safe and friendly environment where kids can learn and not be afraid of everyday life. Unfortunately, in our society today, we do not have strict gun laws. As a result, our country has faced multiple tradedies such as school shooting. We must do everything in our power to keep each child safe and this is a precaution we must take. If not, the life’s of our children will be more at risk everyday.
https://www.texastribune.org/2018/02/26/us-rep-kay-grangers-post-florida-shooting-bill-would-fund-metal-detect/
Introduction
Problem Statement/ Background on the Problem, Opportunity, or Situation
Description of Proposed Solution/Work/Results
Project Benefits
Methods, Procedure, Theory (Procedure for
Proposed Work)
Schedule
Costs, Resources Required
Conclusion
Audience Summary: Mrs. Johnston is our audience. After reading our proposal, she will understand that we want our children to be safe. Mrs. Johnston will consider adding metal detectors as it benefits her safety as well as the staff and children in Sinclair Elementary. She will learn the methods, schedule, and costs for the device we want to install in the 3 points of entry.