Following the Newtown shooting, schools across the nation became concerned about the safety of their students. School districts here on the Western Slope are re-evaluating the procedures they already have in place.

The Garfield Re-2 School District already has safety measures and procedures in place but like many districts it's always looking for ways to improve.

Thrust into the headlines, school safety has become a top priority and Garfield Re-2 is talking about ways to protect its students.

"One of the things that we're looking at is pursuing financial options to be able to renovate those buildings and put in that vestibule system" said Theresa Hamilton, Director of District Wide Services for Garfield Re-2 School District.

Another layer of security is the camera system that helps monitor any activity in and around the schools.

"We're also looking at ways to fund some exterior perimeter security kinds of issues" said Hamilton.

The district also utilizes school resource officers who act as a go-between with law enforcement.

"They see things that maybe I don't and we communicate and we're always trying to figure out how to make the schools safer" explains Dustin Marantino, School Resource Officer from the Rifle Police Department.

Although schools will never be one hundred percent safe, officials say one of the best ways is to practice drills with students..

"Through the practicing, we're a little bit more prepared when these emergencies take place. We’ve practiced lockdown drills. We’ve practiced evacuation drills” said Marantino.

"Our administration and our teachers and staff do a great job at trying to keep our kids and our community safe" said Hamilton.

School officials say continuing to practice the drills and reviewing the procedures is key so that staff and students are prepared for any emergency.