Guilford County Schools adds ‘safety vestibules’ to protect its students

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — As students return to class after summer break, Guilford County Schools is stepping up security with new additions to every elementary and middle school in the district.

The district is installing what it calls “safety vestibules.” It’s a secure entryway that’s designed to ensure visitors are properly screened before being allowed into school buildings.

At Kirkman Park Elementary School in High Point, Principal Yajaira Owens says safety is at the heart of her role.

“Safety has become, or was on the top of my list since I got here because we are in the center of High Point,” Owens said.

She says that because they are an open campus, it was important to her to have the vestibule installed. 

“Learning cannot take place if kids or staff don’t feel safe,” Owens said.

She says the students are the priority.

“I love seeing children, I love hearing them and just laughing with them,” Owens said. “But I think, most importantly, I want to make sure that I’m impacting their lives in a positive way.”

In the past, visitors could walk directly into the building. Now, the new system creates multiple checkpoints, keeping families and guests contained until staff clear them for entry.

Assistant Superintendent of School Safety Mike Richie says the goal is to raise all schools to the highest security standards.

While the changes may add a brief wait for families, Owens says parents and staff have already responded positively.

“Even though it might get a little annoying with them having to wait to get buzzed in, I think that it’s adding an extra protection for them and for their children,” Owens said.

District leaders say construction at Kirkman Park finished before students returned after summer break.

Leaders are actively working to complete the upgrades across all elementary schools as part of a district-wide push to make safety a top priority.