There are approximately 1,435 students attending GHHS, and the safety and health of each one is of high importance. Students come to school every day as a part of their regular routine, but what happens when something outside of the ordinary happens? From things as simple as a minor injury to the more serious circumstances of a medical emergency, when it comes to the needs of students and staff, the school is responsible for their well-being, and it is the district’s job to ensure the safety of the people it administers. An effective way to be prepared to meet a wide variety of health-related needs is via ‘safety packs.’

The classrooms at GHHS will soon receive these backpacks for implementation in the learning environment. The majority of schools in the Peninsula district are already in possession of such packs, and as GHHS follows suit, maintenance staff members are currently working to see that these things are well supplied when they arrive. Mr. Moose, GHHS’s security with a background in first responder fire EMT, described the packs as containing everything to sustain what a teacher needs for keeping their students healthy and safe. The packs contain basic supplies such as ‘stop the bleeding’ kits (simple first aid) that were donated by the local hospital, as well as a roster of the students, their contact information, and their needs. Materials include, but are not limited to, tools for resuscitation, safety goggles, emergency blankets, and glucose tablets to support students with low blood sugar or diabetes. EpiPens are exempt from general packs and are instead planned with nurses for specific students whose needs are more specialized. Packs are all to be kept hanging on hooks by classroom doors/main entrances.

Safety is the highest priority in classrooms, and the health of students upholds a learning environment. The smartest way to prepare for an emergency is through anticipatory action, and the new district safety packs are a source of support that can be accessed for any reason if ever the need arises.