School Safety

Call the office and ask. That *is* scary and I would want to know (a) the outcome, (b) the reason for the boy going missing (maybe it really wasn't the school's fault), and (c) what they plan to change to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I would call them and ask about it. How they handled the situation would tell me if I needed to look for another school option. If they have the option to robocall parents, they can also send out updates. The staff might be overwhelmed but they might also have an answer ready for you. When my SD was under lockdown, we certainly called the school! We found out that in her case it was a safety measure b/c the cops were looking for someone in that area, but wasn't last seen near the campus. They were just being cautious.

I'm curious about the gate thing. What is the purpose there and how do they handle students entering the school and being sure they actually get in to class? Or can you see her get into the building?

I'm glad the boy was OK and I bet his parents are having some very strict talks with him....

On the topic of not being allowed to go past a certain point when dropping off a child: Several people who posted disliked that, and said it was a problem to them, etc.

But it's very standard procedure in every school in our huge school system and I bet that if the people who posted will check, they will find it's a policy in their (public) schools as well.

It isn't a "gate" that is the barrier in our case, it's the front office, and the policy is: If a parent (or any other adult, including the school system's own personnel such as repair people) wants to enter the building for ANY reason, that adult must stop at the office to check in and say why they are there in the school. You have to sign in on a computer that is devoted just to this purpose, and it would flag you and tell you to see the secretaries (who are sitting right by that check-in computer) if you were not on the school's list to pick up your child, for instance. Then when you've checked in, you must print out a label from that system, with your name and destination (classroom, library, computer lab, etc.) printed on it. Then you're free to go where you need to go inside the building.

The idea here is to keep kids safe and the school running smoothly. No one, not even parents, should be able to enter a school building and roam at will without going through some form of identification and "gatekeeping." If parents can enter the building at will and go directly to wherever they like, they could turn up during a lesson, disrupt a class, whatever. And there are safety issues even with parents just turning up -- what if Johnny's dad, who does not have custody but intends to remove him from school and take him out of state unknown to mom, turns up at the classroom door even though he's not on the list of people permitted to pick up Johnny at all?

In your particular case, J., it sounds like there are many academic issues with the school and that alone would be reason to find another school as you are wisely doing. If your current school does allow adults, including parents, in after a formal check-in procedure and with permission, I would not worry about the physical security so much at this point.

By the way, I am at my child's school very frequently (at least twice a week and often more times) and check in through the office with zero problems. But I know that if I strolled in some side door and was in a hallway with no sticker on my shirt, I would be stopped and politely asked by any teacher where I'm going and why I'm there. And I have no problem with that!

I hope the little boy is ok. We've experienced some children who were supposed to walk straight home and they detour to a friends house and parents were freaking out.

I would be more concerned that a school is not open for parents to come in. Of course, security is an issue and that is why everyone is screened when they go into the schools here. You run your driver license through a machine and get a visitor sticker that must be worn at all times while you are in the building.

I am not a huge fan of parents walking children to class, etc. As a sub that gets old because I have a couple of parents who just hang out in the room past announcements and pledge. It is the helicopter ones who help with morning work, etc but it does distract the children who are more independent.

That said, I think parents should feel welcomed by the school staff and teachers. Parents have a lot to offer and to be told you can't come past a certain point sounds like it is not a safe area.

holy buckets, I'd be all over that. Its not prying its CONCERN... please do call, it might not directly affect your child, and what do you mean that your not allowed past a gate? how, do you give them somthing if you forget... take your child out now and find a school that cares for their children at least 5 times better.

If a principle calls and leaves a message with parents about a child that didnt come home, it was not a walker that got lost. ITs more serious than that. Who lets a 3rd grader walk home alone.... and if a principle calls families then they better be equipped to take calls... if not thats ridiculous.

I would defenently move my child if they don't let you past a gate. They should never tell you that you can not come into the school unless you are a child preditor. Our school has a computer program that they can scan DL's that shows criminal records so they know who to and not to let into the school. They should never tell all parents they have to stay at a gate. As for the boy, if it's going to put your mind at ease I would call and say I know you may not be able to give me a lot of info but can you please let me know if he is ok.

Good luck and God Bless!

That's horrible that the little boy is lost. Hopefully he's home safe and sound by now. To answer your question - no, I would not call the school. They're trying to deal with a missing child and ensuring that all the other kids stay safe and have a regular classroom day today. They're not equipped to deal with 200 parents wanting to get personal updates. Check your local newpaper's website to see if they have any details.

And about the freaking out... you are already doing everything you need to do to keep your daughter safe. If the boy was abducted from the school building, you'd better beleive the message from the principal would have been different. Unfortunately, he may have been a walker who got lost on the way home... and that doesn't really have any bearing on your daughter's safety.