I simply acted like I was supposed to be there and wondered how far would I get.

My first stop was Norwich High School. I don’t know any of the staff or students and was completely ignorant of the habits and inner workings of the school. I prepared myself to deal with the possibility of the staff being offended and angry by our test. Seeing how I was to take on the role of an individual attempting to violate school procedures either intentionally or unintentionally, I figured a hostile response would be warranted, if not deserved. I walked around to the side of the school and saw that all the doors were shut. No windows were open, either. I shook hands with four outer doors before giving up and walking to the front. I was buzzed in and directly in front of me was the main office with a woman staring at me. The person I came in with stepped up to the window and for a minute I considered my options. I decided just to simply walk down the hall. Not sneak or hurry, just walk as if I was supposed to be there. I walked maybe 20 feet and saw a student. I decided to ask where the cafeteria was, but almost as quickly as the question started to leave my mouth, a teacher who was near came over and directed me back to the office, where my absence had been noticed and seemed to irritate the office personnel. I spoke to the principal, Tom Knapp, after revealing my true intent.

“We have a system that is not fullproof, but nothing is,” said Knapp. Knapp served as a Marine for 12 years and says he understands the need for security. Norwich has two full-time hall monitors and a dean of students who are responsible for student discipline and safety. Each monitor and the Dean of Students has a walkie-talkie and can communicate directly with Knapp almost anytime, anywhere in the school. Norwich also practices regular lockdown drills and has a command center organized to help information move more smoothly, said Knapp. He was pleased with the school’s performance. He was polite and quite open -minded about the whole idea. “You only served to amplify our efforts today,” he said.