Following the death of Michael Brown at the hands of a police officer, a grand jury will decide whether officer Darren Wilson will be charged. Whether Wilson is charged or not, Dr. Greg Mathison, principal, said Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost, his cabinet, Rockwood administrators and principals have devised plans of precaution depending on the reaction to the decision.

“We have some plans to  to make sure that our kids our safe,” Dr. Mathison said. “Number one is safety, and number two is are there some teachable moments that we may be able to have throughout this situation.”

Dr. Knost sent Rockwood parents an email ensuring the safety of their children.

Yesterday, Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and called forth the National Guard to support local law enforcement when the grand jury’s decision is released.

Effect on MHS

Dr. Mathison said he has no guesses as to if the protests in Ferguson will spread to the MHS community, but it is his job as principal to ensure a safe, conducive learning environment for students and for teachers.

The conflict in Ferguson can be a learning opportunity for everybody, Dr. Mathison said. Students need to be aware of what’s going on in their own community.

“Sometimes as high school students, we’re concentrated on our own little bubble of reality,” Dr. Mathison said. “And I do think that the situation occurring in Ferguson and really throughout the country and the world is one that we all should take notice of, one that we can try to learn from the situation and maybe reflect on ourselves and say, ‘How can I better relate to others of different backgrounds?’”

However, Dr. Mathison also said people shouldn’t overreact and make this the number one issue in their lives. They should meet in the middle and be open to the conversations that come from this event.

“The most important piece to this is we need to be able to have conversations that are honest, respectful and help build relationships and not tear down relationships,” Dr. Mathison said.

Personal Impact on Ferguson Resident

Ferguson resident Katie Jensen, social studies teacher, said tensions are high right now in Ferguson. She said she drove up West Florissant Road last Thursday, Nov. 13, and saw almost every single business was boarded up with ‘We’re open’ signs in the windows.

“There’s not a lot of change right on New Florissant [Road] currently, but I think there are some concerns that there will be some protests there because that’s where the police station is located,”Jensen said.

Jensen said she is looking for an alternative place to stay for when the indictment is released. No matter what the grand jury’s decision is, Jensen said, she believes there will be a reaction, whether that be a positive or a negative one.

Even before Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency, Jensen said she saw heavily-armored police vehicles lined up in parks.

“I think we should be aware of what’s affecting our community because obviously this is an issue that’s impacting not just the immediate area of Ferguson, but also the surrounding communities,” Jensen said. “The superintendents have been contacted regarding this issue, so I think that this absolutely goes beyond the three-block radius of Ferguson.”

Impression on Police Morale

Sergeant Brian Schellman, public coordinator for the St. Louis County Police Department, said their commanders have been in daily contact with the commanders from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis City police and other municipalities devising an operational plan.

Every officer who will patrol during any civil unrest has undergone training in how to respond to the unrest and a review of the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments—freedom of religion, speech, press assembly and petition; security from unreasonable searches and seizures of property by the government; defining citizenship and restricting the government from discriminating against people.

Schellman said the police department offers year-round counseling to officers if they feel they need it, and they can also speak to one of the 23 department chaplains of various religious backgrounds.

“Officers are frankly worn out, working long hours at times, but that does not mean they are not prepared and ready to go,” Schellman said. “We have a duty to protect life and property while also making sure citizens have a right to have their voices heard, and that’s exactly what we are prepared to do.”