Daycare/school moms (re: shooting)

[vanillacourage]

Has there been any communication from your kids' schools regarding their security protocols? We have gotten nothing from ours, and after reading a CE&P thread about it too I'm thinking I will directly ask our director. Their daycare is secured with two separate keypads (with codes unique to each individual parent), but the door is sometimes propped open, and parents often hold the doors open for others. While I understand that there's not much that can be done if someone comes in with multiple assault rifles, there are security issues that fall short of that which could be planned for.

What have you been hearing from your kids' schools, and what is reasonable to expect?

[cjeanette]

Pre-school the door doesn't have a lock but the classrooms do were I have to use my keyfob.

Elementary school all doors are locked during school hours except for the one that lets you in the office to sign in and grab a badge. If you are walking the halls of the school without a badge a teacher who sees will escort you to the office to get one.

Still, I think in any security situation if someone has a gun and wants in. They are going to get in. I don't see how you prevent that without having a police officer and a metal dectector at the door.

[luvmagoldn]

Our principal sent an email on Saturday saying they were reviewing their security policies and would be holding a meeting with all staff after school today to discuss current practices.

I felt that was appropriate and would expect all schools/day cares to do the same.

[karinothing]

DS is only in daycare. We got an email about how to talk to kids. WE did not get anything about security practices. The daycare shares a building with the department of defense so I feel somewhat protected? I did notice that since Friday they have had security patrolling outside the daycare. Not sure if that is connected though.

[drloretta]

The director put a letter in every child's cubby today. I didn't get it, as I rarely check her cubby Oops

I had sent an e-mail about a security concern (one teacher in particular will bang on the door to have people let her in), and when I followed up today she told me about the letter. I'll pick it up when DD goes back on Wednesday.

As it stands, there's a fingerprint keypad to get into the building, and there are cameras that parents can watch. And we have to sign kids and out with a passcode

[dragonfly08]

The county sent out an email explaining that there would be increased security presence at schools, and detailing what that would entail based on the level (high/middle/elementary). School-specific protocols weren't addressed but I'm assuming most parents who have been to my kids' school know...you go to the front door and ring the bell so they can buzz you in. I did notice that today, instead of just buzzing me when I went to pick up DD #1, they did ask "may I help you?" Not that anybody couldn't say what I did, which was "I'm here to pick up my daughter" but then again, I'm pretty sure they also recognize me (you can see right out the office window to the buzzer).

[GailGoldie]

we got an email from my son's K teacher, and a statement was made by the principal, too - all saying that they will not be addressing it in school unless children bring it up and even then, will be very basic and telling the children to talk to their parents about it... if a cihld seems very upset they will have the counselor talk with the child.

my 5yo doesn't know... i'm hoping we're in the clear now and he won't find out. My twins are 3.5 and have no idea - and unless some asshole tells them- they will not know either...esp consiering half the kids in their class at school can hardly talk (it's mostly kids there for speech)

[xokell2]

Our preschools always had a locked doors/buzzed in policy. We got an email today outlining their communication with local police in how they can update safety protocols and stating they will partake in more drills. They also made social work and psychological help for the kiddos available if needed. So far my preschooler knows nothing about this (3 almost 4 years old) tragedy.

[Here]

Our daycare is on a campus that is gated and has armed guards. The daycare has their own security measures on top of that. I was not expecting any communication out to parents.

[everam01]

We've always had keypad access, but the front doors are glass. I know their lockdown procedure because they are affiliated with the college where I work and we all have had to practice it.

[niki]

Yes:

Dear Parents,

This past Friday’s events at the Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut have brought great concern to the center. We may not know any of the people directly affected by the shooting, but we feel great sadness for their loss and pain. The management team and staff are determined to
maintain a normal school experience for all the children, staff and families.

The Center maintains a safe environment, which includes controlled access to our building, safety plans, crisis procedures, and practice drills for our staff and children. We have done some research into crisis procedures, and will be discussing our plan of action with all of our teachers in case of an event.

If we are made aware of a crisis in the area, our center will go into immediate lockdown, an email will be sent out to all the parents to inform them that no one will be allowed into the center (including parents) until safety is assured. This is the same procedure that we followed during the [other local] shooting [in my area].

If we are unaware and caught off guard, we will alert the classrooms immediately through our intercom system. The teachers will barricade their doors with the classroom tables, and the teachers will make a decision whether to hide in locked spaces or to escape through their fire exit doors. We will be practicing our crisis procedure along with our annual fire and tornado drills.

We, at the center hope that we never have to experience anything that would cause our center to have to execute any sort of crisis procedure. However, we wanted to make sure that you, as parents, are aware that we are prepared and taking every necessary precaution to make sure that your children are safe at the center.

And a second email:

We forgot to add in the "crises plan" that just went out, please do not hold open the door for parents unless you know who they are, if someone does not have their card to get into the building then they need to wait for someone from the center staff to let them in.

Thank you for your understanding on this matter.

[Ashley&Scott]

In our weekly newsletter they had a section reviewing the safety policy. Reminding parents to only use the main entrance, not to hold doors for anyone, etc. They are also doing a policy refresher with all staff & will do a drill.