security at your DC's public school

SO, i was a little disturbed the other day at my child's school. I went to pick him up from an after-school program. I walked right in the front door. There was no one around - no one by the front door, no one in the office. I didn't know where he was exactly (it was the first time he was staying late). I walked all over the school. I noticed that three of the "side" doors were open. There was an after-school group in the gym. They told me where my son's group was.

I could have been anyone walking in to school.

I am not sure if I am over reacting? Maybe "security" is more lax after school than during the day? Maybe I am a little over sensitive.




What is it like in your child's public elementary school?

TIA

Message edited 10/10/2014 9:11:57 AM.

Re: security at your DC's public school

I honestly don't know his the aftercare is, but I know during the school day you can only get in the front door. Then you are closed into a front area that has another set of doors into the school. You have to sign in with the secretary, fill out a visitor sticker, and then she will buzz you into the building.

Re: security at your DC's public school

At my DS' Elementary school the front door is never unlocked. You have to be buzzed in by the security guard that sits by the door, then sign in, get a visitor's pass, and then proceed to pick up your child. Once the guard gets to know you it's not as stringent (she'll buzz you in right away and she doesn't make you wear the visitor pass, but you still need to sign in and out). I think ALL schools should be this way. Especially in lieu of some of the tragedies that have occurred in past years.

Re: security at your DC's public school

During the day you have to be buzzed into the school. They check ID etc. At pick up time, its free for all, a lot of parents picking up kids in a small area which I do not like.

After school the main doors are locked. no one can enter. When we stay after there are designated doors we ask the parents to come to and we let them in.
No doors should be left open for security reasons.
Also, that is elementary level.

On the middle school and above level the security is not really around after school. After school you can come in and go to the classrooms, lockers etc without signing in or out. We usually have a security guard or two roaming around but they don't stop and ask you anything. I'm guessing if you looked really out of place they would. They also have security in the parking lots

security at your DC's public school

During morning check in the cafeteria and front entrance are open. You are required to have an ID badge to pass them.

During school doors are locked but able to open from inside out? Except front door (check in required). For recess they go through the gym to get to the outside.

After school, front doors are locked. The two entryways to aftercare are monitored. ETA: Picture ID is required to check out your child until they really know you. You can not go to your child. They have walkie talkies and send your child to the cafeteria for pick up. All other school grounds are prohibited.



Yesterday they had a "Hard" lock down which is every door is locked in both directions. All children are kept in a specific spot (away from windows). No one can enter the building without being a specific employee to that school (no district employees like my uncle, no parents).

Soft lock down is no outside play but students are free to move within the school. However still no outside visitors of any type.

We (I know let the drama start) have volunteer fathers on campus every day and military persons who volunteer their time to walk the parking lots and perimeter. Generally the military folks are parents doing this on their own time with the school's knowledge. its not always, not always the same people, not always the same 'routes', not the same number of people either.

We live way off the main road and the school is behind a green belt and now also behind an apt complex. The apt complex really spooked the parents.. This is a fairly suburbia area, what kind of vagabonds would the apts bring? LOL For $1200 a month in rent (yes you heard me in TEXAS!!!) for a 2 bedroom I don't see much vagabonds.

Then again, yesterday's lock down was due to a suicidal individual 'in the area'

Oh and we have district police who tour our campus and neighboring 4 campuses all day. As well as a two police officers who live in our community (behind the school) who come home for lunch and check in on the school as well.

Message edited 10/10/2014 10:31:59 AM.

Re: security at your DC's public school

My DD's elementary school has a buzzer, but nobody is at the door (they buzz you in via the office upstairs). No ID is checked.

Re: security at your DC's public school

OUr doors are locked at all times, all doors - from outside entry. Even after school. We used to just be able to walk in the front door after hours with no one there for pick up for aftercare. Not anymore.....all locked. Now there is a designated aftercare pick up door which is locked and you have to be buzzed into.

security at your DC's public school

My aunt substitutes at another district here in San Antonio ... They have a video screen and button. You can't enter the building without a visual check. Ironic huh? The schools in a higher crime area have locks and buttons and some even have metal detectors. While those with lower crime have so much less?

Re: security at your DC's public school

I am not happy with security at ds' public school. All side doors are locked if you are trying to get in but not locked if you are trying to get out.
The main entrance is open but there is a guard there that makes you sign in & will check ID's. I would love a buzzer & camera system as well as a guard just like his previous private school had.

Message edited 10/10/2014 12:42:04 PM.

Re: security at your DC's public school

security at your DC's public school

At DD's school all the doors are locked from the outside. They all can be opened from the inside for fire safety reasons. The main doors have a security desk and and vestibule. You have to show your license to be buzzed into the vestibule and then show it again and get buzzed in from the vestibule to the school. They are just in the process of adding license scanners that you will need to swipe to also gain entry. That way they can flag someone and if their picture comes up they won't let them in. We also have a security guard patroling the grounds throughout the day.

For afterschool the doors are open and there is no one at the security desk. They still have the security guard/guards patrolling the schools until the last club is finished. For the afterschool program, they are in the cafeteria so those doors are closed and you need to sign in and out.

They also just added locks to all the classrooms so incase of a lockdown the teacher can lock the doors. The locks are all on a master key that is given to the police and fire department.

Re: security at your DC's public school

Re: security at your DC's public school

security at your DC's public school

They are off on Election Day in November but they are not off on primaries or any other crazy election day they have. That is one of my largest concerns as well as you can't even ask for ID on election days. Anyone can roam through the schools. We have sent petitions, met with the politicians and no one will move the polling places. It is absolutely ridiculous to have polling in schools in this day and age when there are appropriate locations at firehouses, places of worship or the libraries. They increase the security presence in the school by alot but it's still not safe.

Re: security at your DC's public school

Re: security at your DC's public school

security at your DC's public school

Yes Primary days, and legally they cannot ask for ID from people entering the building to vote. We have already had a primary day, and there are a few more to come.

Re: security at your DC's public school

When I pick up DS from aftercare all the doors are locked. you have to enter through the gym door and even that door is locked. the aide comes and opens the door for you. the first time she sees you she asks for ID. now she knows me and calls for him.

Re: security at your DC's public school

My DS goes to a pre-k, but I can easily see how there can be a slip in security. When I walk in to drop DS off there are other people going in as well (teachers and administration as well as other parents), the door is locked but you have to ring a bell, but there are so many people going it at once, then the person just holds the door for the person behind them.

Re: security at your DC's public school

Re: security at your DC's public school

Thanks everyone!!!

Re: security at your DC's public school