This year, another new security measure has been introduced to AHS, this time involving the visitors of students in the school. Guests to the school who come in during the school day must sign in and produce a photo I.D.

“This new technology has been put in place of many high schools across the county,” said administrator of safety and security William Tippins. “It’s supposed to help monitor who comes in keep the school safer by doing so. It’s also supposed to help keep watch for sex offenders around the area.”

This installment and several others (including door-access technology and hallway cameras), have been put into place as a result of school shootings at Newtown, Connecticut and Virginia Tech.  All across Virginia, counties and individual schools have been taking several measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in suburban communities, such as Annandale.

Teachers across several Virginia counties, including FCPS, have also been instructed on what to do in case of such emergencies. 

AHS had an encounter with safety issues in 2012. A fake bomb threat had been reported on March 30.  The call was made by Marco Antonio Verduo Toledo, a former AHS student.  This incident caused several issues with school transportation, causing 18 elementary schools delayed transportation as well.  Students who had been on the busses to school or were on their way were not allowed in until around 10 am, three hours after school had begun.

“It was unbelievable that someone would actually do that,” senior Moesha Farres said.  “I think that the new things that Annandale is trying to do to step up security is good, but I [also] think they’ve definitely overdone it.”

Some students feel that the new security measures do not make them feel any safer. 

“I know that the new security should make me feel more secure, but the fact that they”re installing new and more security items, it kinda makes me wonder what happened,” junior Grace Yim said.

Even some teachers are skeptical about the practicality of added security. 

“I guess the new security system makes me feel a little bit safer,” orchestra instructor Angela Ammerman said. “But it seems that, because it’s in the office, it’s unrealistic for the lady in the office to see everyone that comes in.”

Another issue related to the new sign-in feature at AHS involves parents who can’t present a form of identification, most likely due to their residential status. This presents a whole other side to the controversy that arises due to such significant changes. 

Students, as well as parents, find issues regarding the new security methods that have come up over the years.

“Everything’s harder for the students,” senior Moesha Farres said.  “I don’t feel safer.  Everything’s just more of a hastle.”

Another reason why the new security measures are being introduced is an apparent problem with drugs within the school.

There have also been schoolwide searches in the previous school year.

Feb. 27 the school went into a lockdown drill, this specific drill also served to conduct a simple drug search throughout the school.  The intent of the search was to create a safer environment for students and teachers.  The search took approximately one hour to conclude.