ORANGE PARK, Fla. – At Orange Park Junior High School, ensuring the safety of students and staff is a top priority.
With the introduction of new security protocols and policies this year, the school has ramped up its efforts to create a safer campus environment.
One of the most noticeable changes is the heightened security checkpoints, where visitors are required to identify themselves before entering.
“I’m Brianna Andrews with News4JAX. I’m here for an interview,” I said as I approached the school’s receptionist.
“Can I see your I.D.?” she responded.
Visitors are now required to provide identification before entering any part of the campus — a direct result of new legislation designed to strengthen security in Florida schools.
Scott Chalker, a school resource officer and longtime police officer, explained the impact of the state law.
“With the new state statute that is in effect this year, it mandates us to secure every area on campus — whether it’s a gate, a building, or individual rooms," Chalker said.
Chalker’s role is crucial in maintaining campus security. Alongside other personnel, he ensures that students and staff are safe throughout the school day.
“We have a full-time guardian on campus who works with me every day to address any safety concerns,” Chalker said. “We also have a threat assessment team made up of administrators, myself, and a counselor, which helps us identify any potential threats, whether verbal or physical.”
Social media threats have become a growing concern. These online messages are carefully monitored and may even lead to criminal charges.
Chalker shared his thoughts on the matter, emphasizing that students may not fully understand the consequences of their online words.
“I think sometimes they may be misinformed on what the actions of their words are and the consequences they can carry,” Chalker said.
The importance of vigilance in monitoring social media is underscored by recent tragic events.
In Nashville, Tennessee, a deadly school shooting took place earlier this year, with officials believing the shooter’s social media posts reflected his violent intentions.
According to Education Weekly, there have been 222 school shootings since 2018, and research from Sage Journals suggests that mass shooters often post warnings on social media before carrying out their attacks.
As a parent or guardian, the question remains: How can you ensure your child’s safety at school?
Chalker’s message is simple and clear: trust the school staff and administration.
“I would say to trust the staff and the administration on campus,” Chalker said. “We take every threat and every potential for violence seriously, and we want to make sure that every parent understands that their child is going to be safe here in school. Every measure in place is here, and everything that can be done is being done.”
For parents, it’s all about peace of mind — knowing that the safety of their children is being carefully guarded.