19 December 2012
Good evening,
On Monday, I met with our staff to discuss how we would begin to analyze the safety of areas of the building, times of day, and programs. We are currently reviewing recommendations for changes in the following areas:
Arrival
Dismissal
Visitor check-in System
Student check-out procedures
Lock down drills
First week of school procedures
After School Extended Day Program
Clinic visitation passes
Communication systems
We will do the following when we have made a final decision on recommendations:
1) Update all staff including itinerant staff
2) Make updates to the Teacher Handbook (an internal document) and the Student/Parent Handbook (posted on our website)
3) Train students on our safety procedures that directly involve them and their movement in the building and on campus
4) Communicate with parents & visitors
What we can communicate now...
On Friday morning, we will have a Level 2 Lockdown Drill. We will train the students how to do this on Thursday. We will hold a Level 3 Lockdown Drill in January. Our goal is to hold one lockdown drill and one fire drill each month of school. If children are prepared, they are less fearful in the event of an actual emergency. Practicing the drills will also allow us the opportunity to tweak our procedures. Please be assured that our teachers have developed age-appropriate procedures for these drills.
All grade levels now have a walkie talkie with them and on at recess and during any outdoor lessons.
We need every adult who enters the building to immediately report to the front office, sign in, and get a visitor sticker. Parents will not be permitted to escort children to the classroom or to make an impromptu visit to the classroom at any time. We still welcome parents to read for DEAR, volunteer, and make appointments for conferences. We simply need a system for classroom visits.
We need everyone to tighten up on arrival time. The last three days, we have seen over 40 students per day with unexcused tardies. Buses arrive at Oak Grove between 7:00am and 7:15am. Carpool gets very clogged and backed up onto Oak Grove Rd. at 7:28am. Not only are students better prepared to start their day when they are on time, they are also safer when they are with their class as a whole.
We hope to have everything finalized by Friday. Over the break, I will communicate all changes to be in effect on January 8th, 2013.
Finally, I'm not sure how many of you receive emails from the PTA & Principal Joe Reed at Lakeside High. This week, Mr. Reed sent a beautiful reminder for us during this holiday season. The idea he spoke of was to take a moment and look for the good in another person. Do something kind. Say something heartfelt. I would add that we can try to approach our time together with the innocence of a child. Be filled with wonder at your own children. Let us do these things as a way to honor the 20 children from Sandy Hook.
I thank you for your support as we work to create the safest possible environment for the children in our care. We love them and we appreciate you!
Sincerely,
Dr. Laura Neely, Principal
Oak Grove Elementary
|
