Security is the Best Policy: The Legacy of CSS ‘24-’25

​​What would you do if a fellow schoolmate started seizing in public? Many people would just stare and watch, hoping for someone to step up and help. Other people would call a figure of authority—a teacher or a staff member—who might be able to help, but how many people would actually be able to provide the first-aid action they need before it’s too late?

As explained by the name of the committee itself, the Committee on Safety and Security, or CSS, takes on the responsibility of handling the students first-hand, during their day-to-day lives in school, as well as during events, where accidents and mishaps seem most prone to happen. Because of this, it is in the hands of the CSS members to manage the crowd.

​​This was successful not only in carrying out these tasks, but also thrived in the making and executing of their proposed projects. Among these was the distribution of first-aid kits to each and every class, an essential every community needs. The committee also held weekly inspections for each SHS class, ensuring cleanliness in every corner of the school and even providing awards for the cleanest classroom of the month. Towards the end of the year, CSS plans to hold a first-aid orientation for SHS students as well.

The committee aims for a legacy built by their unique and successful projects, branded by their prominent logo. Danielle Sarmiento, the head of the team, also believes her leadership style to have “a lasting impact” on the future generations, hoping to pass on her experience and knowledge through her junior members—the potential leaders in the next year. Sarmiento hopes to give the following advice to the future heads of CSS:

" Additionally, I’d encourage you to be fearless. Some accidents can be intimidating, and you may not always know what to do, especially if you're not a certified first-aider. But having confidence and showing that you're not scared will help reduce the fear of others, including the patient, and will make them more likely to rely on you. When you don’t know how to handle an accident, it’s more important to admit it than to pretend you do. These are the moments when it’s okay to ask for help from a reliable teacher or the nurse. And remember, always call a teacher in case of a major accident. "

​​To build a safe school environment, prevention is always key. However, even as students, it is crucial to learn the basics of immediate first-aid as to develop a more trained response to situations in need of medical attention. The collective will of each individual in our community—each student—becomes a force that blazes into passion. A passion that fulfills safety and immediate action. A passion the Committee on Safety and Security embodies.