Since the 1999 Columbine, Colorado school shooting, gun safety is an ongoing topic of discussion, especially after recent tragedies such as the Apalachee High School shooting about an hour away from Marietta. The senseless shooting negatively impacted a feeling of security in communities, and it also rekindled discussions about gun control laws, mental health services, and preventative measures.
It is important to consider the larger implications for gun safety and the actions that can be taken to keep communities and schools safe, especially specific to school shootings.

Maintaining a secure environment for students and staff is a top priority and concern for Marietta City Schools.
The school has put in place extensive safety procedures, such as frequent drills and initiatives aiming to increase public awareness, like ‘never propped, always locked’ messages on every exterior door in the district. They have also put many initiatives into place to ensure that all students and staff are safe if a situation were to take place during the school day.
“After the Apalachee incident we immediately had a meeting with local law enforcement, the school board, and the school safety director to ensure our school was secure,” Student Resource Officer, Sarah Youngblood said.
The school highlights the importance of community attentiveness in partnership with local law enforcement and encourages students and families to report any suspicious activity. In addition to encouraging an environment of safety, this proactive approach gives students the power to participate in maintaining a safe learning environment. It is considered a ‘see something, say something protocol.’ Action will be taken with report.
“We immediately go to the classroom, and that student’s bag is seized…and then that student will be immediately searched,” Youngblood said.
A nonprofit group called Sandy Hook Promise works to stop gun violence by promoting awareness and activism. 90 percent of school shooters displayed warning indicators before their attacks, according to their research, highlighting the importance of taking preventative action. Furthermore, according to Sandy Hook Promise data, 93 percent of school shooters planned their attack. Additionally, they emphasize how much violence in schools may be decreased by implementing social-emotional learning programs, which are designed to make schools safer places for kids and communities.
“Marietta High School provides a variety of mental health resources, including counselors, to help students cope with anxiety or fear. I would recommend reaching out to [the MHS] counselor suite regarding these resources,” Mr. Brian Wallace, lead of School Safety and Emergency Management, said.
On Sept. 20, there was a concern about a possible shooting event at Marietta High School, which naturally alarmed staff, parents, and students. Marietta’s Central Office responded quickly to the situation, informing parents promptly about the nature of the threat and the steps being taken to guarantee the safety of the campus. The threat was in the form of an image of a gun with the words “September 20” on a bathroom stall.
The district thoroughly reassured the community regarding the topics of heightened security and continued investigations by local law enforcement. The school also urged parents to stay vigilant, and attentive, and to inform their kids about the value of safety, emphasizing everyone’s commitment to ensure Marietta High School is a safe learning environment.
“MHS and all schools in the district take threats very seriously. We partner closely with the Marietta Police Department and their crime analysts to thoroughly investigate any and all threats. My priorities are to make sure our policies and procedures are followed, and each step is taken to ensure each threat is addressed properly,” Mr. Wallace said.
The safety and well-being of every student at the school came first for the administrators as they moved quickly to evaluate the situation.
“I never imagined that our school could experience something like this. When I saw the drawing, my heart fell. We should be concerned with our schoolwork, not worrying for our safety,” Elaina Gehlbach (11) said.
Marietta High School students’ perceptions of their safety have been significantly impacted by the horrific events at Apalachee High School and the threats to MHS. Since such occurrences can happen anywhere, many students now view their educational setting with increased awareness and worry. Many scenarios could occur throughout the campus and school day. Students feel that classroom drills provide adequate preperation but larger, open areas like the cafeteria, the gym, the hallways, and J-hall still cause concern.
“I feel that a place like the cafeteria needs more protection. While there might not be much that logistically could be done if the event were to take place while students are in lunch, many people would be at risk of losing their lives and being seriously harmed,” Ellen Gbolade (10) said. “It’s important that the students would know what to do and what measures would be in place so that everyone can remain safe, otherwise chaos could ensue, helping no one who would be in the situation.”
Moreover, students’ perceptions of Marietta High School as a safe place have been influenced by the response from local law enforcement and school administration. Student Resource Officers at the high school have relationships with students to help build camaraderie and help them feel safe with the protecting officers.
“Warning me about places I should and shouldn’t go has been helpful. I don’t have a close relationship with the officers at our school, but I see so many students interacting with them, and seeing those interactions they have, makes me feel safe around them,” Alethea Makumi (11) said.
The recent events taking place at Apalachee High School and MHS have also affected the feelings of parents of students at the high school.
“There have been instances of threats and in those cases, I do not send my children to school. My reasoning is that if something violent were to happen and I knew it was a possibility but sent them anyway, I would never forgive myself,” said Dana Poor, mother of an MHS 10th grader.
The incidents at Apalachee High School have sparked a need for more awareness and readiness by serving as a sobering reminder of the difficulties that many kids confront today. Encouraging a secure learning environment is of utmost importance as the Marietta High School community rallies around one another. By emphasizing transparent communication, working with local law enforcement, and providing ongoing instruction on firearm safety and mental health, we can enable students, parents, and staff to actively participate in establishing a safe environment where learning may occur without fear.