Every child should walk into school without fear. But today, too many families send their children into buildings without the basic protections that exist in courthouses, banks, or sports arenas.
Because we made them from scratch.
Because we made them from scratch.
Children deserve to feel safe.
It is not developmentally appropriate for young children to rehearse what to do if someone tries to hurt them at school. Lockdown and shooter drills take a toll on children’s emotional safety and leave lasting psychological effects.
No child should have to choose between learning and surviving.
Emotional safety matters just as much as physical safety.
When children feel secure, they thrive. The Shield Project exists to make sure school can be the joyful, wonder-filled place it’s meant to be—not a space defined by fear, but one protected by thoughtful, permanent safety measures.
The Shield Project Aims to equip public and charter schools with permanent, physical safety enhancements—at no cost to them.
Bullet proof fencing
School campuses often remain the softest targets in a given community—open entry points, weak perimeter security, and minimal resistance to outside threats.
Our bulletproof fencing is designed to:
Delay or prevent armed entry
Buy critical time for response
Visibly signal that the campus is protected
Limit chaos and funnel access through monitored entry points
These physical barriers don’t just provide protection—they act as deterrents. Studies show that visibly hardened targets are less likely to be attacked, as potential shooters often seek easy entry and minimal resistance. When you create friction, you decrease risk.
Security guard booths and personnel
Security guards also known as good guys with guns. Trained professionals who exist to protect our school environments. Those who can call law enforcement right away for extra help or simply to keep the peace.
These trained professionals know how to:
Monitor access points
Enforce entry protocols
Intervene immediately in escalating situations
Communicate effectively with law enforcement
Security guards are first responders, not enforcers. They exist to protect, not to police. They know the campus, the staff, the families. They’re part of the school community—and they’re trained to ensure nothing gets in the way of a child’s right to feel safe.
Visitor screening systems and procedures
Every person who enters a school should be known, accounted for, and purposefully present.
Our visitor screening system is a universal, easy-to-follow protocol that adds another essential barrier to potential violence—without disrupting the school day.
Visitors are required to leave a government-issued ID in exchange for a visitor badge.
Entry is granted only after verification and approval by on-site security personnel.
The security booth includes lockers for storing private items not permitted on campus—such as weapons, vaping devices, or other restricted items—depending on the school’s policies.
This process is already standard in courthouses and federal buildings. It’s time schools received the same level of care.
Visitor screening ensures that staff, children, and families know:
Everyone on campus belongs there.
why?
Because we made these kids from scratch.
We created The Shield Project because these kids hold our hearts in their hands. We created this project because we are so tired of waiting for change.
We refuse to accept a reality where sending them to school feels like taking a risk.
We’re not politicians.
We’re parents. Educators. Community Helpers. Humans.
And we decided it was time to act.
As the saying goes, “if you want something done, do it yourself.”
And, isn’t that the American way anyway?
Meet the founders
Selva & Cody Strickland
Selva Strickland holds a Bachelor of Law from Istanbul Kültür University, where she developed a deep understanding of equity, justice, and how systems succeed—or fail—to protect the vulnerable. She made it her life’s mission to protect and care for the vulnerable and founded an early childhood education program in Utah three years ago. Selva is the founder and director of The Wonder Schoolhouse, a STEAM-based early childhood education center in Salt Lake City blending Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies. As an educator, she’s spent years nurturing children, walking alongside families, and quietly absorbing the fears that no parent should have to carry. Outside of her work, Selva is a passionate karaoke singer, a novice piano player, and most importantly a dedicated mother of two.
Cody Strickland studied communications at the University of Minnesota and now works full-time as a digital marketing manager. In his free time, he’s a craftsman, a woodworker, a fixer—and most importantly, a father. He believes that if you can build a gate that keeps danger away from children, you build it. No questions asked.
“Cody and I, we realized something:
Help is not coming.
But we can be the help we need.
There’s a bit of Éowyn in me, and a bit of Kaladin Stormblessed in him. And even more than just us two—there is power in community.
We’re not trying to change hearts or rewrite amendments.
We’re changing locks, fencing, entry points, and the culture of complacency.
We’re showing up with materials, with solutions, and with a refusal to accept school violence as normal.
The Shield Project was created out of love—fierce, protective, practical love.
And we’re just getting started.”
Keep Schools Safe
Keep Schools Safe
Phase 2: Approvals & Planning (Winter/spring 2025/2026)
From vision to next steps.
Begin conversations to select a pilot school site with district collaboration
Partner with school leadership to align on safety goals
Secure early legal and logistical approvals for proposed infrastructure
Conduct a formal safety audit in collaboration with the selected district and pilot school
Work with district leaders and facilities teams to review and approve plans
Document and share the process as a model for future partners
Align implementation with district policies and security protocols
Phase 4: Expansion & Formalization (2026-∞)
Growing the movement and building sustainable impact.
Open applications for additional schools to receive support
Develop district outreach materials and onboarding pathways
Establish long-term partnerships with vendors and contractors
Launch recurring donation campaigns and pursue grant funding
Create a public dashboard to track installs, metrics, and milestones
Continue refining best practices based on school and district feedback
Our Plan of Action
Here’s how we move from idea to impact.
The Shield Project is new—but we’re not starting from scratch. We bring decades of experience in education, systems-building, and community outreach. What we need now is traction, partners, and purpose-driven progress. Here's how we plan to get there:
Phase 1: Awareness & Community Building (Spring–fall 2025)
Laying the foundation for lasting change.
Launch our website and core communications
Build brand awareness through storytelling, social media, and local press
Host school safety info nights and community town halls
Begin volunteer recruitment and donor outreach
Identify and connect with our first school district partner
Phase 3: First Install & Proof of Concept (summer 2026)
From next steps to reality.
Install bulletproof fencing, guard booth, and visitor screening system
Align implementation with district policies and security protocols
Document and share the full process to inspire replication
Launch our first donor campaign using storytelling and results
Collect and share feedback from school staff, families, and district officials