Colorado students used to be taught what to do in case of a fire, but now they are learning what to do in case they are under fire, lawmakers learned Monday.
John-Michael Keyes described his family’s efforts to make schools safer after his daughter, Emily, was killed by a gunman at Platte Canyon High School in 2006.
“I don’t think the world is a scary place, but I think it’s an uncertain one,” Keyes said. “We don’t choose tragedy, but we can choose our response.”
The program developed by the Keyes’ foundation was touted Monday by Colorado school officials and law enforcement.
“Before this program we just flew by the seats of our pants,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink.
The school-safety presentation was set before organizers realized today was the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, and the legislature would be closed for the day, said Rep. Tom Massey, chairman of the House Education Committee.
But they decided to proceed, and at least nine lawmakers were present in the old Supreme Court Chambers at the state Capitol to listen to Keyes and others.
“Obviously what we’ve learned today is preparedness and prevention seemed to be the key,” said Massey, R-Poncha Springs. “It’s a never-ending job.”
John-Michael and Ellen Keyes formed the “I Love U Guys” foundation, in reference to a text message their daughter sent them while being held hostage in her English classroom.
The foundation developed what is called the Standard Response Protocol, or a classroom response to any school incident. One of things it did was standardize the language to be used in emergency situations.
In some cases, the language varied from school to school. In other cases, teachers knew the protocol but students did not.
That program is being used in connection with Safe2Tell, which was created after the 1999 Columbine High School shootings. It provides students a safe and anonymous way to report threatening behaviors or activities.
John McDonald, executive director for safety, security and emergency planning with the Jefferson County School District, told lawmakers both the SRP and Safe2Tell programs are nationally recognized.
“Those two programs are nonprofit organizations. They don’t get money from the state but what they give us in school safety can’t be measured,” McDonald said.
He added that 297 student in his district have called Safe2Tell about everything from suicides to illegal drug use.
He said the district had undergone a standard-response protocol drill just three weeks before a shooting last February at Deer Creek Middle School. Math teacher David Benke, who tackled a gunman a shooting at terrified students, briefly addressed lawmakers Monday.
“I’m drinking the Kool-Aid,” McDonald said, when praising the program.
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com
