Our Facebook page “GC Parents On A Mission” was created as a venue to share information and interact with supporters. Our mission still remains the same as it did 6 months ago. We started the petition with one ultimate goal-Keep GC schools safe and push for metal detectors. We have since spent countless hours researching facts, statistics, school shootings, safety procedures/protocols, and mental health statistics & programs. We have talked to hundreds of parents, school faculty, police officers, bus drivers, and most importantly students. We then presented all our information to the school board. We have also missed hours and days of work, time away from our kids to meet up with reporters, an interview on Tony Katz radio, a segment on Ninestar connect, multiple articles in the Daily Reporter—ALL so we can share our mission. We were contacted by a friend of a Mother in Parkland, Florida. Her child was a victim of the school shooting at Stoneman Douglas...She has now been elected to THEIR school board and is pushing for this same mission and we hope to share her story with you...Maybe that will hit home for the negative people and see how REAL this all is? Over the summer we reached out to Highsmith Guns and let them know that we aren’t against guns—just guns in schools. We asked if they were willing to team up and educate others on gun safety, locking up your firearms and the responsibility as a gun owner, if in the wrong hands. They were eager to do so & held a FREE firearm safety class for our community!! We learned a lot at the class and foresee more events like this in the future. At this event we learned about a free training program that’s hosted by the NRA with our local police officers. They would go through their active shooter training program, give them a credit for their training hours, provide a grant for a broken locks, alarms, cameras etc. The ‘School Shield program’ also comes with a vulnerability assessment, one that we are long overdue for. It revises school safety plans and procedures for active shooters, what the proper way to deal with such an intruder is and what NOT to do. We went to the board again and presented the packet from the NRA. It then had to be passed on to local authorities for approval and we learned at this time that they are not interested in the program. We have also stated that we would like to see a resource Officer at each school-who would be operating the machines, and trained to confiscate a weapon IF found. Ideally an officer at each school while it is in use, including sports and after school events. To say the least, we have done our homework and we’re feeling pretty confident thus far.

We recently endorsed Mark Lozier and his campaign for a school board seat. Mark reached out to us months ago and asked about pricing, logistics, timing, pros and cons, etc. He has publicly stated he supports our idea and signed the petition! We are disappointed that Mark did not win the campaign and lost by only 651 votes. We look forward to working with Mark again in the future on ideas to make our community better! 

For clarification—we are NOT displeased whatsoever with the school board or Dr. Olin!! They have been nothing short of respectful, kind and have heard us out several times! As far as statements made that we don’t think SRO’s are equipped to secure the schools-we didn’t say that either. We do know they can only be one place at one time. Their role in school safety is crucial and we appreciate them. 

Metal detectors could potentially save lives and although nothing is a 100% guarantee, it significantly lowers the chance and acts as a deterrent. Being informed about threats and incidents is imperative too. That being said-we encourage ALL of you to come the GC schools public safety forum on Wednesday November 14th at 7 pm @ the GCHS auditorium. You will be allowed to submit the questions you have been so patiently waiting to ask! This is the time to get out and voice your concerns! We are thankful for this opportunity and look forward to seeing our supporters there!! 

Prepare and prevent not react and regret

#MomsOnAMission #SafetySisters