Cedar Hill Elementary School on Monday was named one of the safest schools in the state by Attorney Gen. Luther Strange.

Each year, the state AG’s office sponsors the Alabama Safe Schools Award of Excellence, recognizing the efforts of school leaders to keep schools safe. A panel of judges reviewed nominations to determine a winner from each state school board district as well as private schools for each state region. Cedar Hill was the winner in District 8 for 2015.

Cedar Hill Principal Glen Garner and Limestone County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Sisk both said they were honored to be recognized. Strange will present the award during a April 27 ceremony at the school.

Garner said the school has implemented a number of measures to help keep children safe, which already included a full-time school resource officer. In December, Limestone County Schools implemented the Safe Defend system. When Strange visits the school this month, he’ll receive a demonstration of the system, Sisk said.

Other measures taken at the school, Garner said, is consistent education of personnel and students about safety issues. Public entry into the school was also restricted to just one entry point.

“It’s an honor because we work hard to ensure the safety of all our children,” he said of the recognition.

Sisk not only commended the staff of Cedar Hill, but also the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and Ardmore Police Department for their partnership with the school.

According to Strange’s office, the emphasis for the awards has been on technological advances dealing with modern safety challenges. As a result of past programs, Strange compiled a “best practices” guide, and schools are judged by their implementation of these recommended practices.

“The safety of our children at schools continues to be a paramount concern and we must work together to ensure that Alabama schools take the best possible protective measures,” Strange said. “Each year, we learn from the successes of those who are recognized for excellence. We commend these outstanding schools, and look forward to implementing Best Practices to keep all Alabama schoolchildren safe from harm.”

About Safe Defend

The Safe Defend system includes 600 finger-print activated lock boxes that contain pepper spray, a telescoping wand, a strobe flashlight and various first-aid items, such as a tourniquet.

The items are not intended to prepare school personnel to attack an active shooter but to prevent them from entering their classroom to harm students or the teacher until law enforcement arrive on scene.

When a teacher activates the Safe Defend box, not only does every teacher and administrator get notified by text and email of an active shooter emergency, the system also alerts law enforcement and even tells them where in the building the box was activated. That tells other teachers whether they can try to escape with their students or stay put. It also tells law enforcement where in the building the shooting began.

The winners

Below is the complete list of winners for the 2015 Alabama Safe Schools Award of Excellence:

• District 1, Orange Beach Elementary, Orange Beach, Baldwin County;

• District 2, Opelika High School, Opelika, Lee County;

• District 3, Helena Middle School, Helena, Shelby County;

• District 4, No submissions were received this year;

• District 5, Monroe County High School; Monroeville; Monroe County;

• District 6, Oak Park Middle School, Decatur, Morgan County;

• District 7, Hewitt-Trussville High School, Trussville, Jefferson County;

• District 8, Cedar Hill Elementary School, Ardmore, Limestone County;

• Riverhill School, Florence, Lauderdale County (private school, Northern Region);

• Coosa Valley Academy, Harpersville, Shelby County (private school, Central Region); and

• Lakeside School, Eufaula, Barbour County (private school, Southern Region).