New Gates and Intercoms Improve School Security 

With the technological advancements of the intercoms and the gates, many are wondering “why and how did we get these?”

 Every year, DJDS applies for a grant. In 2020, we received a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. Although, at first, there were a lot of logistical challenges involving floods and engineering problems, the grant finally came to fruition. “It was a little bit of a balagan, but it’s here. We got it,” said Samantha Walsh, DJDS’ director of development.

With a surge in anti-semitic events throughout the United States, Homeland Security has been prioritizing Jewish institutions. Walsh explains that while there wasn’t an actual attack, there have been sightings of abnormal and potentially dangerous people, and a few instances of graffiti.

DJDS received over $100,000 to build the new gate, and another $150,000 for the new PA system security cameras, and security personnel. Other grants were given for physical security, such as the gate surrounding the soccer and baseball fields.

 One of the biggest upgrades DJDS students have been adapting to is the new bell system. With an old bell system needing constant maintenance and cleaning, DJDS decided it was time for an upgrade. “They only had one setting: loud and jarring,” said Upper Division Director of Judaic Studies Benjamin Levy. Along with being the director of Judaic studies, Levy also controls the bell’s settings.

However, this isn’t the first time that DJDS has attempted to get a new system: a few years ago, clocks with bells in them were installed in the hallways, but they turned out to be a subscription service. From then on, the unfunctional clocks hung on the wall until DJDS got the grant previously mentioned which was given in 2022.

Another feature of the new PA system is text-to-speech, which could be used in the future to automatically make announcements. The new PA system can also be directed at a single room, making the old phones obsolete. This includes a call button to the front office and a button that immediately calls 911 in case of emergency.