Many students at CHS feel safe at school because of the efforts of on-campus staff while some others do not due to past experiences of disrespect. Staff such as security, resource officers and teachers affect how students feel when on campus.
Some students say they feel safe on campus because security is taken seriously at CHS which makes students feel protected during school hours. Freshman Sawyer Sanders explains what areas of safety measures make him feel safe on campus.
“I feel very protected with our gates and Officer Mayers, he’s very nice,” Sanders said. “Then there’s the principal and vice principals at the gates [so] I feel protected.”
Most staff create a feeling of safety for students, but not all staff contribute to the positive environment. Senior Luken Oyarbide-McKillip, the Gender-Sexuality Alliance club (GSA) co-president, feels that staff doesn’t always help students feel safe because of insensitive and disrespectful comments made in the past.
“Two years ago, one of the vice principals never got fired for the despicable things he said [regarding the LGBTQ+ community],” Oyarbide-McKillip said. “Anytime I’m walking around campus and I see him, I just feel very uncomfortable.”
Security staff and administrators aren’t the only ones who impact safety, as a few standout teachers make a difference as well. While students appreciate many teachers at CHS, a few go the extra mile to help make their students feel safe and comfortable. One of them is Biology 1 teacher Maylie Schreck.
“Ms. Schreck likes to go up to people and help with anything they need,” Sanders said. “Whether it’s with her class or with other classes, she’s just really supportive.”
Some students like teachers who help with work, but others prefer teachers who focus on an equitable and respectful environment. Freshman Bella Blakemore, a member of the GSA club, feels that the AP Language and Comprehension teacher Katrina Waidelich is one of the best teachers due to the effort she puts into making her classroom a safe space.
“The most inclusive teacher I know here is Mrs. Waidelich,” Blakemore said. “She is very inclusive for everyone and the GSA club is a space where everyone can feel safe and comfortable.”
Unfortunately, not all student-teacher interactions are positive. Many students feel that while there are many teachers who make an effort to help students feel safe, other teachers are less mindful of how their actions affect students.
“Last year, my statistics teacher never once tried to call me by the correct pronouns,” Oyarbide-McKillip said. “While I try to not let it bother me, it’s not as if I can completely ignore it.”
Teachers can help their students make their peers feel safe and comfortable, but that doesn’t always happen. Some students unintentionally make hurtful comments which can lead to feelings of discomfort and unease. Programs like No Place For Hate can help teachers spread awareness to their students about discrimination.
“Mostly when I feel uncomfortable, it’s because of the students,” Oyarbide-McKillip said. “Lots of times they’re just very ignorant. They make gay jokes thinking they are funny, but they aren’t.”
There are many things teachers and staff can do to help students feel safe and comfortable. Many students believe that ignorance often creates discomfort for some students on campus.
“[You] can do so much by just educating yourself,” Oyarbide-McKillip said. “It’s also about basic respect. It’s really easy to use the right pronouns, to use the right name. It’s really easy to just not say anything instead of being intentionally [harmful to somebody].”
