Security at your elementary school?

So today DH had to go up to the elementary school that DD will be attending in Sept to pick up some paperwork.
We have never been there before yet.

He said he went to the front doors and rang the buzzer and they just buzzed him in with no questions asked about who he was or what his business was there.
He felt a little uneasy about that, he said, "I could have had a gun under my shirt"

And now that I think about it, it makes me nervous too.

Is this normal? What does your school do?

Re: Security at your elementary school?

They have the buzzer in DSs school as well with the video monitor seeing who they are buzzing in. However, they ask who is it or what do you want before buzzing you in. I guess that's the most secure because technically, I could say I'm here to drop off so and so for my son but still have a gun,

It's just scary to think about it!

Eta: bring it up at orientation! Never be scared to voice your concerns or ask questions.

Message edited 5/1/2015 11:22:06 AM.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Ring the bell. A security guard answers the door. Asks who you are, why you are there, and you have to show ID. Then he lets you in, and then you sign in at the lobby, show your ID again.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Can only go through one entrance. That outside door is unlocked, but the inside door in locked. A security guard will greet you and have you sign in through the lobby guard thing... basically filling out on the computer why you are there, who you are meeting with, your name, etc. Your ID gets scanned and it also takes your picture. After a few mins of that the guard lets you in and you wait in the lobby (there are couches) and the guard will notify whoever it is you are meeting with. You also have to wear a guest pass.
The person you are meeting with will come and take you to where you're supposed to be.

You also have to scan your pass to leave. The security desk has a retired cop that watches the cameras. They are pretty serious there.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Last year my DD was in Kindergarten and I couldn't believe how lax the school was. They buzzed you in but with NO questions asked and you were "suppose" to stop right at the security window and check-in BUT if you're someone who was there to do harm they just let you right into the building, no questions asked. It freaked me out a little.

This year they added a locked vestibule area so now you have to buzz in, they ask why you're here, and then you're let into the vestibule. Once inside there you have to run your license through a scanner, then get buzzed in after that, and lastly you proceed to the security window for your visitor pass. It's not perfect but it's better than what it was so I feel a little better about it.

The one thing that REALLY irks me though is after school there is NO security at all once everyone has been dismissed. The front doors to the school are unlocked and accessible to everyone so if your child stays after for activities (such as my DD who is in Daisy Troop) they are basically in the school with nobody securing any entrances. That makes me a little nervous because ANYONE can walk in during after school hours and hide inside the school, or cause trouble, or god forbid cause harm to any of the children. I think they need to keep the security just as tight until EVERY child is out of the building.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Re: Security at your elementary school?

i have no idea if its normal but when I went to school I cant remember ever having this (granted it was a long time ago )so I wouldn't even be thinking twice about a school not having it.

ETA: I cant even believe that you have to show ID now to pick up kids in the elementary school I used to attend. we use to walk home from school in elementary school

Message edited 5/1/2015 11:59:21 AM.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Posted by blu6385

i have no idea if its normal but when I went to school I cant remember ever having this (granted it was a long time ago )so I wouldn't even be thinking twice about a school not having it.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by blu6385

i have no idea if its normal but when I went to school I cant remember ever having this (granted it was a long time ago )so I wouldn't even be thinking twice about a school not having it.

True but with the Sandy Hook tragedy, all the schools are supposed to be a lot more secure than they were in the past.
That is what scares me

Re: Security at your elementary school?

We show ID to the camera. I am there a lot and the main person knows me and buzzes me in but if it's someone else I'm asked why I'm there. Then buzzed through a second set of doors where I show id and sign in. There is an officer from the sheriff's department there as well.

They are pretty strict. For example if you're walking up as someone is going through the door, they get pissy if you go in too while the door is open. You're expected to stand at the camera and wait to be buzzed in again.

To be honest I do feel a little more secure but I also think if someone wants in, they're going to get in. But we're only 15 minutes from Sandy Hook and everyone- admins, parents, ect. was very rattled so for the most part people comply and don't complain.

Message edited 5/1/2015 12:23:06 PM.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Security at your elementary school?

We just get buzzed in and have to show ID at the desk. At that point, you are already in the school, so if you have ill intent, you can easily carry it out. Our district has VERY lax security. Don't get me started on the pick up procedure for walkers.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

We don't have a buzzer, but there is a large desk and a security guard in the lobby as soon as you open the dorr.
You have to giver your ID, which they scan, and give you a printed visitor badge w/ your picture on it.

Re: Security at your elementary school?

Security at your elementary school?

The security at mine is terrible and I think about it often. There is one unlocked door. No buzzer but a bell rings to alert the guard. You give ID but by then you're already completely in the building.