HAWK HAPPENINGS
September 10th - 14th
School Safety Concerns
Over the past year as principal at Spring Lake Elementary, I have spoken with many parents about concerns over the safety of the students at our school. With the tragic events we see happening on the news, these concerns are completely justified. As a mother myself, I am equally worried about the safety of my own children as I send them off to school.
Last year, we made great strides to improve safety at Spring Lake. We held trainings for teachers and practiced lock out and lock down drills with more frequency. We engaged our staff in discussions, ran through scenarios, improved evacuation routes and implemented new policies and procedures. However, we still have room for improvement.
There has been an ongoing problem with staff and students propping doors open with cones, chairs or other objects to keep them from closing completely. Propping doors open has lead to our building not being secured at night and has posed safety concerns during the day as it leaves our building vulnerable for ANYONE to enter without being monitored.
In a recent meeting with my staff, I reminded them that one of the district policies in place (based on recommendations from safety experts) is to have a "SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY". At our school the point of entry is our front door leading to the main office. We have been advised that throughout the school day all doors except the main doors are to be locked. The exceptions to this are during recess when many students are outside and the doors are open in the back so students can easily re-enter the building as needed.
Based on feedback from parents, I am also going to open the entrance by Kindergarten between 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. At all other times it will be locked. We ask that afternoon kindergarten students enter through the main doors.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, but also believe that a little inconvenience is worth it if our students are safer and our building secure. We appreciate your support of these efforts.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Jordan