Dr. McDaniel's Weekly Newsletter - April 2, 2023
What a beautiful weekend!
It’s officially April and starting to feel like spring! Don’t be fooled though if you are a gardener or want to plant some flowers I would still wait! We probably have one more cold spell to get through (I hope I am wrong!).
We were so blessed to have such a great week at Shiloh. However, as we all know there were others this week that had a different school experience. At the state of the school address I gave during Parent Night at the beginning of the school year I talked significantly about school security and the importance of it. Providing our students and faculty a safe environment is paramount at Shiloh Christian School. With that desire we are very intentional and active in processes and training which puts us in a posture of safety. We are heartbroken over what happened in Nashville. However, we are NOT called to live in fear. When we live in fear satan wins and the evil here on earth wins and we diminish the sovereignty of God.
We are not going to let that happen…. We will live with courage and a boldness given to us by the spirit of God that was given to us through the completed work of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:26 says “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” --- Rest in that. While we rest in the Spirit of God we prepare and train.
At Shiloh we employ cameras, physical barriers (ballistic film), radio communication, trained armed school security officers and faculty to engage any violent event that may occur. We recognize this act was ungodly and manifested out of a broken world in need of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Our prayers are for those families who have lost loved ones in Nashville and for a world desperate for a Savior in Jesus Christ.
Below is a list of security measures we take:
- Two security officers on staff- Fully trained and State Certified Security Officers
- Security officers have monthly training and over 60 plus hours each year
Training includes but is not limited to: (Again, we have been doing this training for 6 years; the training describe below is the yearly training we have to complete)
- Live fire training, marksmanship and qualification (minimum qual for handgun is a 400 for police, SCS is 450)
- Use of deadly force and Arkansas Law
- Legal Limitations and ACT 393
- Active Shooter Training- ALERRT (Active Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training), we conduct 4 a year. We use live sim rounds in our building and a myriad of scenarios that we might encounter).
- Trauma Care/CPR certification- Combat Casualty Care (CCC)
- Defensive Tactics- Hand to Hand
- Weapons Retention
- De-escalation training
Additionally:
- Security team completes yearly state pistol and rifle qualifications
- Security trained Teachers carry concealed as approved by leadership board
- 3m coated doors and windows for deterrence and non-accessibility
- Clearly marked security patrol vehicle for deterrence
- All doors locked with single point entry for Elementary, Secondary and Church Administration office
- Over 130 + cameras that cover both inside and outside SCS
- Radio Communication between Security personnel and entry points as well as teachers
- All teachers equipped with Panic Button on their phones
- All Classrooms can be locked shut
- All Teachers receive intruder training
- NASRO Member and current on best practice training (National Association School Resource Officers)
We will continually evaluate our school security and continue to improve each year at both of our campuses. We are so thankful for Sean Morgan (Director of Security) and Tommy Ishmael (Security Officer) and our armed faculty (Commissioned School Security Officers). I am a trained School Security Officer as welI and conduct all yearly training with our security team.
At the beginning of the school year we had our security officers trained and qualified to carry AR-15 rifles. We have AR-15 rifles on campus that we utilize for high-profile events or have the ability to employ should a situation arise.
I know that is a heavy topic to address but I want you to know that school security is incredibly important to me. We will continue to improve and work to add more security each year. Thank you for all of the kind words and support this week! Remember to live boldy and not to succumb to fear! Now let’s shift gears and prepare for a great week at Shiloh!
I am so grateful for each of you; let’s finish this year strong and have some fun!
We had so many great experiences this week including our “Love Through the Glove” special needs softball game! That was such a special day and will bless your heart! I am so thankful for Alicia Brown and our Chick-fil-A Leaders for hosting such a special event! Check out the newsletter in the link below!
Cordially,