It was four years ago when a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members inside Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Since closing its doors immediately after the shooting, the community has since moved forward to completely demolish the old building synonymous with tragedy to replace it with one that embodies security and safety.
The new school building, designed by Svigals & Partners of New Haven, features a slew of security cameras, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a winding entrance tucked away from the main road.
Before parents and students pass through the entrance, they will go through multiple security checkpoints with gated entrances and card readers. The windows inside the building extend from the floor all the way to the ceiling and allows staff to have immense visibility to see anyone approaching the school from a distance.
Classrooms are equipped with bullet-proof windows and reinforced walls. The classroom doors lock from the inside and the outside, giving teachers the ability to lock out an intruder from either side of the room.
"The intent of this building is to offer a warm and comfortable environment for students and it hit a grandslam with that, but I can also share with you the security measures in this building are second to none," Superintendent Dr. Joseph Erardi said.
