“t he school
ta k e s s a f e t y a s i t s h i g h e s t p r i o r i t y, a n d w e h av e m a d e a h u g e i n v e s t m e n t i n t h e s a f e t y o f t h e c a m p u s .” —Carlos Sanchez, Director of Campus Safety
CAMPUS SAFETY:
Ambassadors...and the National Guard
V
IEWPOINT’S CAMPUS SAFETY OFFICERS are the first and
last people that visitors meet when they come to campus, and Carlos Sanchez, Director of Campus Safety, wants their impression to be good one. He said, “I view our Campus Safety staff as a combination of ambassadors for the School and the National Guard. We are here to be welcoming and helpful, but if needed, we also are here to protect the students and the School.” Carlos continued, “Safety is first and foremost. We have five EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) on our staff of 18 officers, and two full-time nurses on campus at all times. The officers are here to handle emergencies, to escort students to their cars, carry things as needed, and assist with parking for events.” The officers are here 24-hours a day, seven days per week. Carlos also emphasized the ambassadorial role of his staff, “We want to make every experience meaningful and enjoyable for our visitors, and our officers enjoy getting to know the students and their families.” Carlos joined the staff at Viewpoint after a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Police Department. “The School takes safety as its highest priority, and we have made a huge investment in the safety of the campus. Through the School Gate Guardian Program, the officers at the three entrances are able to scan the driver’s licenses of any visitor to campus. We have an excellent relationship with both the Sheriff’s Department and the Fire Department, but we are self-sufficient in the case of an emergency.”
JAIME XAR WHEN VISITORS ARRIVE AT THE Lower and Middle School
Parking lot between the hours of 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., they are likely to be greeted by the warm, smiling face of Campus Safety Officer Jaime Xar. While he is certainly prepared to handle any challenging or emergency situation, his job is most often to welcome and to direct. Jaime moved to Los Angeles from Guatemala at the age of 16. After working as a cook for 10 years for both the Walt Disney Studios and Universal Studios, he became a security officer at Milken Community High School. Jaime joined the Campus Safety Department at Viewpoint in 2007.
Campus Safety Officer Jamie Xar
In addition to his security role, Jaime devotes his free time to assisting Soccer Coach Travis Kikugawa on the field. Jaime has played soccer since early childhood and he brings his skills, expertise, and solid advice on perseverance and good sportsmanship to his volunteer work with the Boys and Girls Soccer Teams. Jaime said: “I love working at the School. I love the interaction with the parents, faculty, and especially the students. I feel honored that they trust me to represent the School at the entrance gate, and I want everyone I interact with to feel good.Working with the students on the soccer field is my vacation and my pleasure. I never imagined that I could make such an impact on young people, yet my players will come back even years later to thank me for encouraging them and being a friend. It is overwhelming to me when I think of this and the respect that the students show me both on the field and when they see me on campus and run to say “hi” and give me a high-five. I wouldn’t change my time with the students for anything in the world.” FALL
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