In 2017, the ALICE procedure began to be used by De Pere High School and has been used ever since. ALICE is a safety procedure used for protection in case of an intruder trying to hurt people inside the building. At the high school, students have monthly scenarios which they cover in NEST time. 

Some people believe that it works, and some believe that it doesn’t work. According to a Crimson Aviator poll, 47.1% percent of DPHS students believe ALICE is necessary, 9.9% of students believe it is not necessary, and 43% said that it is OK. 

Most people interviewed for this story felt as though ALICE was effective.

Mrs. Kelli Schneider, a Social Studies teacher at DPHS, said, “I would say that it is pretty normal for some kids to think that it’s not going to help. Unless you have had a violent intruder experience, you don’t know if it’s going to work, so I think it’s hard for students to decide what to do.”

Alexander Lavarda, a freshman, said he wanted the “like” number to be higher. 

“I wonder why they don’t like it,” he said. “I wish that more people liked it instead of not liking it.”

Mr. Mike Picard, a biology teacher, said that he can see both sides. 

“I think that (those who don’t like it) are right because if someone comes into your room with a gun, then you’re screwed,” he said. “But the main thing is to save lives.”

When thinking about ALICE, many things could go on in people’s heads.

Freshman Finn Bakke said, “When I first think of ALICA, I think of running.”

Said Mr. Picard: “I think of evacuating.”

Mrs. Schneider said that she thinks of protecting. “When I first think of ALICE, I think of trying to protect students and staff from a violent intruder.” 

So, does ALICE work? The teachers interviewed both believe that it does. 

“I think it’s the most effective thing we have,” Mr. Picard said.

Said Mrs. Schneider: “I think ALICE is way more effective than the lockdown procedures that we used to use when I first started teaching.”