School safety update – Spring 2025

Principal Tarance Hart wrote the following message to the Garfield community on March 25, 2025:

I want to acknowledge the impact of recent safety alerts on our school community. Over the past weeks, we’ve had shelter-in-place and lockdown incidents. While the events that triggered these responses were off campus, they occurred close enough to Garfield to require immediate action out of an abundance of caution.

I know these situations can be unsettling, even when they are precautionary. Please be assured that we respond promptly, based on guidance from district safety staff and law enforcement, with the safety of our students and staff as our top priority.

We are continuing our efforts to strengthen building security. While the front vestibule is still under construction, we are advocating for and actively working to implement additional improvements, including upgraded security cameras and measures to ensure all side doors are reinforced and secure so that the front entrance remains the only point of entry during the school day.

In addition to physical safety improvements, we are committed to continuously reviewing and refining our safety protocols. Following each incident, we conduct debriefs, gather feedback from staff and students, and work closely with our district’s security office to identify areas for improvement. We are committed to ensuring every response is fast, precise, and aligned with established district safety protocols and best practices.

As part of our broader commitment to student safety, we’ve partnered with Community Passageways to provide additional support on and around campus. This partnership includes a safe passage program during lunch and after school, with trusted adults positioned outside the building in key locations to help ensure students feel supported and secure as they move through the surrounding neighborhood.

Community Passageways will expand its presence inside the building in the coming days by adding two full-time Violence Interrupters. These Violence Interrupters are trained to build strong relationships with students, recognize and de-escalate potential conflicts, and mediate situations before they escalate. They build trust through consistent and proactive engagement to maintain a safe environment throughout the entire school day.

Thank you for your continued support. We remain committed to keeping our school safe for every student and staff member. Through strengthened protocols, physical security upgrades, and community partnerships, we are taking comprehensive steps to ensure that Garfield is a place where everyone feels secure, supported, and ready to learn.