The STORM

In light of recent events involving gun violence in US schools, CVA began to crack down on carrying backpacks throughout the day. This has become a pressing school security concern, but also a sore subject for many students. Though having all your books, folders, binders, writing utensils and other items in a single convenient place seems sensible, backpacks (along with being able to conceal dangerous weapons) increase the risks of injury and congestion in hallways due to their size. 

Now, as yet another school year is upon us, students have to get used to a whole new set of classes which must be reached on time, and so will take any measures necessary to be punctual. One strategy, which some students are using, is leaving lockers unlocked so valuable time isn’t spent trying to open them later. This would save the trouble of memorizing a locker code or how to specifically put it in. Now a student as well as their friends are able to easilty able to access their locker. After all, shouldn’t school be a setting which encourages sociability and is sensitive to the needs of its pupils?

Sadly, there is always the risk of personal belongings being stolen from an unlocked locker, which may sabotage success at home, in academics, or in finances. It is true that some students may take advantage of the social freedom offered by a public school district such as ours in order to harm others inconspicuously. However, there is no need to be paranoid or untrusting. CVA has understanding staff, as well as tools which can be used to help individuals feel more secure in an academic environment, and a locker is one such tool that keeps learners’ personal lives private.

When asked about their personal opinion and experience with this, a CVA student, who wished to remain anonymous had this to say: “I carry my sensitive and personal stuff around with me all day. Everything that I leave in my locker is school-related, so I’m not as nervous as some people might be about locker thieves.”

AP Seminar teacher Mrs. Alexander, when interviewed about the importance of lockers, shared her thoughts that without locks, lockers would not be able to serve their main purpose of security. CVA Assistant Principal Hess remarked that as well as the importance of security, some students spend considerable amounts of money on possessions they may keep in their lockers. In the event that those items are stolen, students will not only lose their belongings, but also the rewards of their hard work.

In conclusion, though it may not affect the safety of our school like carrying backpacks around, it is important to keep your locker locked for your own safety. The choice to do so is ultimately up to the students of CVA, but if you want to keep your belongings available to you and you only, using your locker the intended way is the best way.