[seeker1950]

Hi, all,
Since this last tragedy in the little Amish school, my school, like all educational facilities, is making changes. I guess the thinking is...if it could happen at a one room Amish school, it could happen anywhere. We are now required to keep our classroom doors locked. All entrances are locked except the main entrance into the office. Yesterday, we had a pep rally, during which the gym doors were opened, and a strange man in a suit was in the gym. It turned out this was the mayor of our town, invited in to inspect and assess our "safety" procedures. No one asked what he was doing there, and he was able to walk around for hours conversing with students, teachers, and have full access ot the school. We received a letter in our teachers' mailboxes today about it, the fact that no one noticed this stranger among us. What is one to do?
Patty

[darkeyes]

I do not know what to tell you, but this security practice(s) in many schools is not really new, actually since Columbine, many of the states have had this practice.
What frightened me about the doors locking, not allowing outsiders in (as a mom and part of faculty staff) was now the idea of fire/disaster safety.
It's so sad that due to these horrible incidents, the lock downs, and daily locking doors, where say possible rescue workers would be delayed to assist those in need.
I wish I had an answer or reply to your question, but all that I was compelled to do with it was to share or tell others the fears that do not only involve things like what occured this week in Pa, and other states over the years, but the fears of safety against safety.
I shake my head and ask, "what's next? or what are we to do?"
Many schools in the US already have metal detectors at the entrances/exits, this is very sad, I come from an era that having chewing gum in your mouth or being caught smoking was the worst that happened . . . where has the future taken us?

[hillbunnyb]

we have to become friends with as many people around us as possible so the net of friendship embraces everybody and those who are not known stand out and can be approached.

Why noone asked him who he was is beyond me.... misplace propriety or manners or????? I ask people who they are all the time. Not aggressively, it's just my way, "Hi who are you?"

We can't cover each other's butt with fear. Safety procedures: yes, fear: no.

ie: no easy answers.

[EJ711]

Patty,

Thanks for your report.

EJ

[Hopefull]

Security. My sister has a kid. She used to complain about not being allowed to come into the classroom after school. This puzzled me because schools claim that they want parents to get involved in their schools. I would have thought it was an invited guest. I tend to ask people who they are. But, I don't always. I came up to my register and saw a strange guy in button up white shirt and tie. He starts telling me what I did wrong. I'm like looking at him like who are you. He finally identified himself as lose prevention. In other words, he deals with security issues in retail. Why did he not have a name tag? This really bugged me. I suspect that your school could use name tags for staff and visitors. This would help the staff, students and any other concerned person to distinguish between known people and strangers. It wouldn't be too hard would it? Sorry about ranting. But, it really annoyed me when a complete stranger starts pointing out what I failed to do at the register. I mean lose prevention people should know to have a name tag. So that we know that he is employed by the company. I think that if your school feels a desire to destinguish between stranger and known people. Then, requiring staff to wear name tags can help. I was a substitute teacher for a while. No one would know me at the school. I could have been a stranger or substitute. Who would have known? Parents like to visit their kid's classrooms. How can you know all the parents? I would like to think that the school teacher would know most of the parents. But, what if I showed up? I have only been seen once by my nephew's teacher. Of course, I am a twin. So almost anyone would know from the similarities to my sister. Well, I will shut up now.

[Rio_]

I agree with Hopefull, name tags are a good idea. Along with keeping all the doors in our school locked, all the teachers and people visiting have to wear a name tag (visitors have to sign in at the office to get one), so they're easily identified. (Plus, the teachers get keys so they can open the doors when they're locked.) The pupils have to wear uniform as well, which helps.

[eoghan]

uniforms are a really good idea as nobody can get bullied for not having the trendiest clothes in school which used to happen a long time ago in ireland. every school here has a uniform that all students must wear. it also stops students bringing in anything they shouldnt.
i think the name tags idea is really good too. it would definitely help identify strangers in the school. but im not too sure the locking of the doors in the school is such a good idea because of fire hazards. but the name tags and uniforms would be a great idea for sure.

[Perna]

I imagine he was noticed and, being the Mayor, recognized (or identified himself in some way to someone to whom he talked). I think the school system needs to hire a security expert and he needs to draw up guildlines as to what adults should be looking for. A well-dressed man in a suit, talking, where the people to whom he's talking to don't react in a negative way or "report" him to a teacher or administrator, obviously isn't a threat! At the least, some teachers should be buttonholed and told it's their additional job to pay attention to what's going on in the halls, assemblies, etc. during breaks in the schedule. Even my county has "ads" telling citizens what should be looked for (in relation to terrorists/home security, 9-11) and having a "pop-quiz" when no instructions have been issued that you are supposed to watch for people you don't know and confront/tell someone/etc. would make me angry.