The tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut last month has local school officials reinforcing safety protocols.

Superintendent Doug White said all of the schools in the Old Rochester Regional district, which include both the Junior and Senior High Schools as well as the four elementary schools, will practice safety drills in the next few weeks as a precaution.

“Our protocols are very good,” White said during last week’s meeting with the Marion School Committee. “Once we have those drills, we will be more efficient at providing a high level of safety.”

White said he has been discussing the drills with the police chiefs from Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester -– all of whom were confident in the security of the schools. Officers from the police departments will also be present during the drills to assist both staff and students.

In addition to signing in and out at the main office, guests at Sippican School are now required to carry identification while inside of the building, said Principal Lyn Rivet.

Rivet added that classroom doors are now locked.

The schools are also considering giving guests a lanyard of a different color from that used by the staff.

Old Rochester Regional High School officials have prohibited all students from carrying backpacks and jackets in classrooms and in the cafeteria.

Of the schools’ safety protocols, White said, “I feel very comfortable the way we are handling things.”

Committee Chair Brad Gordon agreed.

“We have to balance the desire to keep the school an open, nurturing environment without having it be too open,” Gordon said. “We don’t want to turn it into a militaristic setting for the kids to learn in. I think it’s appropriate to make sure everyone there is ready.”