ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The usually quiet halls of a local Englewood high school buzzed with activity this past Friday, as hundreds of volunteers descended on the campus to install cutting-edge security technology and upgrade the school’s safety infrastructure.
This effort was part of Convergint’s annual Social Responsibility Day, during which all 11,000 employees worldwide pause their regular work to give back to communities. This year, the company selected Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice to receive a comprehensive security makeover — completely donated and installed by Convergint’s expert teams.
Chad Ferguson, a representative from Convergint, explained the importance of the project: “We’re providing state-of-the-art lockdown and secure perimeter systems, aligned with protocols from the I Love U Guys foundation, to help keep students and staff safe during emergencies.”
The new system includes “lockdown” buttons, which immediately initiate the ‘locks, lights, out of sight’ protocol, where classrooms secure doors, switch off lights, and keep students hidden and silent. The “secure perimeter” button is used to signal external threats, prompting staff to bring all students indoors while continuing classes as normal.
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“The beauty of this technology is its simplicity and automation,” Ferguson said. “A single press activates a coordinated response throughout the entire school, removing any delay or confusion that could occur when relying on manual actions.”
Denver7 toured the campus alongside Convergint volunteers and got a first-hand look at other impressive security enhancements, such as new environmental sensors discreetly installed in bathrooms. These sensors detect vaping and unusually loud noise levels without recording conversations, allowing staff to intervene before situations escalate.
Another critical upgrade was replacing all card readers with high-frequency models that use secure credentials impossible to duplicate, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring a safer campus.
Around the school, 28 new 360-degree cameras have been positioned strategically to cover main entrances, parking lots, and community access points, ensuring full surveillance of high-traffic areas.
“This is crucial,” Ferguson noted, “because this school is not just a place for students, but a community hub where families and neighbors gather.”
The value of these upgrades — typically priced at around $330,000 — was entirely covered by Convergint’s donation and volunteer labor, compressing what would have been a years-long project into just a single day.
Joanne Polzin, Superintendent of Englewood Schools, expressed deep gratitude: “Without this generous support, we would have needed years and significant financial resources to accomplish what Convergint’s team did in mere hours. Their contribution frees up our budget to invest more directly in students and educators.”
Beyond the technology, the volunteers also participated in beautification efforts across the school grounds, enhancing the campus environment and fostering a stronger sense of pride and safety among students.
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This initiative was part of Convergint’s STEP Up Program, which has supported security upgrades at 125 schools nationwide, including 10 across Colorado.
For schools interested in applying for the program, more information is available on Convergint’s website.
An inspiring community story: Several of Convergint’s employees are alumni of Colorado public schools themselves, making this project a personal mission. One volunteer shared, “Coming back to help upgrade the school where I once walked these halls feels incredible — it’s a way to give back and ensure future generations are safe.”
