Your school's security policy?

[dkd1173]

I am curious to know what the security policy is at other elementary schools out there. At my school parents can pretty much wander freely as long as they've signed in and gotten a visitor's pass. The official policy in our handbook is that they should not just "drop in" when they need to speak to a teacher, but should make an appointment. Of course many don't follow that rule. Also, does your elementary school have a security guard? We don't, and I wish we did.

 

[musicbug]

security and parents

Our school's rules are the same as yours. I often have parents who skirt the rules until we get the admin. involved. I'm hoping that something changes soon too. We have a buzz system that is off at am drop off and pm pickup. That's when our problems begin.

 

[SC]

Security

I work at a very small school, and it would be obvious if there were someone on our campus who's not a parent/relative. We have no security guard, and parents are supposed to check in at the office. They have also been told to make an appointment before seeing a teacher, but they don't. I'm willing to be that most of them don't sign in, either. I get really annoyed when parents come into my classroom in the morning when I'm trying to get ready in peace.

 

[Renea]

No one "wanders" in ...

Our elementary school of four hundred keeps all of the outside doors except two locked. Visitors are to report to the office, sign in and then they are given a badge to wear. The staff also wears photo ID badges. Parents don’t drop in to our classrooms unannounced. They are asked to make an appointment. It's a matter of safety for the children. Adults are not free to be in our schools with out a purpose and a badge. Thank goodness!

There have been occasions when I have wished we had a security guard but generally we feel safe and the children are safe. There have always been crazy situations with adults but we have been lucky enough to have them resolved peacefully.

 

[Laura]

Security

We keep all door locked during the school day. Which means that all people must ring a bell and be admitted. Parents, like in other postings, need to sign in at the office. Teachers are buzzed if parents are not expected. In the morning though all are admitted before school. Parents can hide in school easily and listen in to class.
We have a code that we give the office if we are in need and a "Lock down" is needed.
Our district has its own security force which pops in and comes when needed.

 

[Tounces]

policy

Ours is the same as yours dkd1173. Last year in a different school district the parents were limited to 3 visits per year and had to be prearranged. I have complained to the front office about some parents who are repeat offenders. I think it has helped a little. I have had one who walked in to ask me questions right before an observation by my principal. I always tell them I can't talk to them but we could schedule an appointment if they called later. If a parent comes in unannounced, I ask if I could help them. This is if I think they are thinking about hanging around. I got this idea from one of my team members. She said act all excited and tell them how happy you are that they came in to help out. Find anything for them to do. Run copies, read to a group anything. She said keep them busy and they will think twice before coming in again. Most of them think they can just sit and watch you. This has worked for me. I haven't had repeats stay any longer than the couple of minutes it takes to ask if I could help them. I think the word is out. Now they say no I'm just here for such and such and then I'm leaving.
No security guards at our school. Outside doors are locked except one by the main office. Guards don't always help either. Not when they are running in fast being chased by cops. That's another school though. That's the school where I taught with my doors locked. Schools should get tougher I think. There are enough things we have to think and worry about as it is. This shouldn't be one.