BROTHER RICE
V O L U M E 5 7, I S S U E 6
Chieftain
M ARCH 2018
On High Alert
In the wake of national tragedies, our school’s safety is top priority
By Bobby Kunz
ing. No locked doors, no cameras, no
no armed security guards on the Rice
Chieftain Staff
huge protocols. But after the events of
campus, but many don’t know how
All around the country these last few
Columbine [a school shooting in Colo-
closely our school works with the local
weeks, we have heard plenty of debate
rado in 1999], everything changed.”
police in case of a crisis. The Bloomfi eld
about the safety of our
Hills Police Depart-
schools. Most of these
ment has an extreme-
debates stem from politi-
ly quick reaction
cal opinions, but at the
time, in addition to
center of the debate is
many tools in place
plenty of good.
to help schools like
Awareness and
Brother Rice.
change is taking place
The police depart-
throughout schools all
ment not only has
over America, whether
full access to our
in Florida or in our com-
building, but it also
munity. After catching
has a key to an emer-
up with some admin-
gency lockbox. On
istrators, it is clear that
top of that, Brother
Brother Rice is in good
Rice is constantly
and safe hands. Top-
communicating with
to-bottom, safety is the
our school liaison
biggest priority for our
offi cer.
A seemingly safe facade is no reason for Brother Rice to ignore school safety plans
staff.
An important
While taking on school safety can seem
One of the issues that has arisen since
resource our school leaders have is a
overwhelming, it needs to be addressed
Parkland is the possibility of having
Please see SAFETY on Page 2
after the heartbreaking events in Park-
armed staff mem-
land, Fla., last month. In addition to our
bers. Mr. Okuniewski
A VISIT FROM THE ARCHBISHOP
safety protocols here at Brother Rice,
had a unique re-
other information regarding school safety sponse.
is important to consider.
“We at Brother Rice
“Safety is something we take very seri- follow the Christian
ously,” said Mr. Okuniewski, who admit- Brothers,” he said.
ted that his perception has changed over
“That and the R.I.C.E.
time. “At the beginning of my career, I
pillars are corner-
always thought our main job was to edu- stones of our school.
cate and grow young men. I now realize
We follow their lead
that, while those are still very important, as an international
nothing comes before safety.” Mr. Okuni- association and will
ewski has been in the education world for continue to look to
32 years, and he has seen how times have them for guidance.”
changed.
Some may be con-
Archbishop Allen Vigneron (center) visited Brother Rice High
“Earlier in my career, there was noth-
cerned that there are
School Feb. 15 to tour the school and lead our all-school Mass
B R OTHE R R IC E H IG H S C H O O L C H I E F TA I N
P AGE 1
M A R C H 2018