Cell Phones Have Become a Safety Necessity in Schools

“Our nation's schools must be safe places to learn, where students feel connected and supported.” 

                      --Betsy DeVos, U.S. Secretary of Education

SHIFTING MINDSET

While cell phones were once viewed as a distraction in the classroom, that mindset is shifting. In a study sponsored by the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) in the 2009-10 school year, 74% of public schools recorded at least one incidence of violence, which includes serious violence and fights, physical attacks, or threats of physical attack.  If a cellular signal is weak or non-existent, the safety of staff and students is at risk.

In that same study, it revealed the two most pressing School Safety Concerns: 

• Two way communication between teachers and emergency responders
• The integration of fragmented and outdated school safety policies, procedures, and training.  

RELIABLE CELLULAR SIGNAL HELPS CREATE SAFE SCHOOLS 

Strong cell coverage is essential to effective two-way communication.  Teachers and students inside your school must be able to connect with emergency responders outside of the facility.

CHALLENGES TO INDOOR CELL RECEPTION 

• Many schools are constructed of thick, signal-blocking concrete and brick, which prevents a cell signal from entering or leaving the building.  
• Weak or nonexistent cell signals can also be problematic in classrooms located in a basement or lower level.  
• Poor reception makes it nearly impossible to communicate critical information via phone calls or texts messages from inside a school.  

While we don’t want to expect tragedies to happen, it’s important for schools to have appropriate measures in place in the event that it does--and there are solutions. 

TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN MAKING YOUR SCHOOL SAFE 

Contact us for a free consultation regarding cell phone signal amplifiers (repeaters/passive DAS system) and safety for your K-12 school.