Education is a priority and a main purpose of attending school. Safety, however, is first and at the forefront of our minds as we begin the year. At Dublin City Schools, we have multiple layers of safety strategy. You may want to begin by locating the Dublin City School website to find The Board of Education and Bylaws, Policies, and Guidelines. From there, you will find policy on a wide array of topics from school safety to emergency situations, environmental health and safety and facility security. You will additionally see a range of safety topics from our Acceptable Use Policy regarding safety with technology to Hygienic Management regarding cleanliness. At Thomas Elementary, we take safety seriously.
During the first day of school, Mrs. Davis held an assembly about safety for grades first through fifth. (Kindergarten discusses safety within their classroom.) The students were reminded that all doors are locked with the exception of the one front door to which you enter and have to buzz into the office to talk with one of our secretaries before entering. People entering have a badge and/or a purpose. Identification may be requested prior to entering the door. Students were reminded to never open the door for anyone and to keep all doors closed.
Thomas had sensors on all outside doors installed over the summer. If a door is open for more than a few seconds, an alarm sounds and administration is alerted. Badge readers are installed on the outside doors as well for staff to enter safely without propping doors open.
Students reviewed safety expectations for recess and lunch. They were reminded that teachers would be making them aware of where to go and what to do during safety, fire, and tornado drills too.
Dublin City Schools believes in safety first. We address physical safety continually with our district safety officer, Chuck Collier. Our elementary schools are visited by School Resource Officers (SROs) weekly. Officer Scott Nichelson stopped by Thomas on Tuesday to say hello at lunchtime. Our building also keeps safety as a standing topic at monthly staff meetings and custodial meetings. We have a safety team and threat assessment team which meet routinely to review our procedures and discuss potential scenarios.
Our district also believes in being healthy as a part of safety. Wellness of students and staff is important. We have staff available to support our well being such as nurses, clinic aides, counselors, and mental health specialists.
As you have questions, thoughts, or suggestions regarding safety at Thomas, please feel free to reach out to Kellie Axelband, GTE Assistant Principal (axelband_kellie@dublinschools.net), and/or Jenny Davis (davis_jennifer@dublinschools.net), GTE Principal.
