On Columbine anniversary, ABC-7 gets an inside look at EPISD safety drills

The El Paso Independent School District gave an inside look at student safety drills in wake of the Columbine High School shooting anniversary Friday.

Marguerite J. Lundy Elementary School Assistant Principal Margaret Clay said teachers are given a checklist to follow, and must act quickly to shelter students.

“We just communicate to our faculty that there is a situation, that we need to lockdown,” said Clay. “Within a minute we are safe.”

Once the students are secure, Lundy Elementary nurse Nichole Apodaca said they need to remain calm.

“In a lockdown we’re just supposed to keep the students as safe and quiet as we possibly can,” Apodaca said.

EPISD officer Pedro Gaytan said police rush through the halls during the drills, inspecting all rooms in the school.

“We simulate someone coming in, someone trying to enter a classroom,” said Gaytan.

The school has taken additional security steps, taking safety even further.

“We have over 30 cameras,” said Clay.

Before any visitor can enter the school, they have to step in front of the camera at the main entrance, and hold identification up to the screen.

Only then will they be allowed to go through the front doors.

The district conducts several safety drills throughout the year, and staff said it’s all to equip students with the knowledge they need in the event of an emergency.

“There’s no reason to be afraid that we are a safe school,” said Clay.