Good afternoon amazing Tville El. parents/guardians,
As most of you should now be aware, the district is working on installing fencing that will close off the playground, field, and side/back part of the property from the front of the building. The reasoning behind this installation is to be in compliance with a recent state law that went into effect to improve school security. The idea is that, for the sake of security during school hours, students will always be in a secure area, meaning that only school personnel and those who have been vetted through the office will have access to students.
The new fencing being installed on our property has necessitated a discussion about needed procedural changes, especially regarding student drop off in the morning, to ensure our students are safe and can continue to have a positive school experience. These discussions occurred in both the PTA and Community Council meetings in September so that we could have input from parents and community as well as from school personnel, with the understanding that this new procedure will go into effect once the installation has reached the point that the gates are functional.
New Procedure
- Only Taylorsville Elementary students and staff will be allowed through the gates (see the graphic (jpeg) that shows where the gates will be located) onto the secure side of the school property during school hours (i.e., onto the playground, field, etc.). These hours will be from 8:30am until 4pm (2pm on early days).
- In the morning, students can say goodbye to parents at drop off or at a gate and then will pass through one of the gates to enter the back of the school building where the field and playground are located. Parents cannot pass through the gates onto the secure side of the property.
- School personnel will be stationed at each gate to ensure that students pass through safely and to ensure that only faculty/staff and students are allowed through the gates. We will continue to have supervision on the playground/field (i.e., the secure side of the property) during this timeframe.
- Parents who are concerned about leaving their children for a long period of time, are encouraged to wait with their child in the parking lot until 8:55am and then send their child to one of the gates so they can line up with their class at 9am when the bell rings.
- If a parent/guardian has a legitimate reason, they can go to the office, be screened by office personnel, and receive a visitor badge.
- When school dismisses, students will come back through the gate to the front of the building where they can meet up with a parent similar to what is happening now. It will just mean that parents will not be allowed through the gate to wait on the playground or outside one of the exterior doors in the back of the building for their child to come out. Instead, the parent/guardian will wait at the gate, in the drop off zone or by the flagpole.
- The intent of the security fencing is to keep students safe and is clearly outlined and required as per state law.
- We have had incidents of well-meaning parents who are on the playground before school talk to students who are not their own child, which is against district policy.
- We have had incidents of well-meaning parents looking through windows, namely the kindergarten windows, as the students enter the classroom. Inside the classroom, these parents peeking through the windows, from the perspective of the students, is frightening and creepy.
- We have had incidents of well-meaning parents come into the cafeteria during breakfast and sometimes even went into the hallway and down to a classroom from the cafeteria. Clearly, this has the potential to threaten student safety.
- We have had incidents of parents/patrons and junior high/high school students come onto the playground/field during school time, even during recess, which was a potential threat to student safety.
Rationale:
We understand that change can be difficult and can cause unintended stress and or difficulty. Having said that, we are here to do what is best for all Taylorsville students, keeping them safe and ensuring that they have a positive school experience. After much thought and discussion this is the plan that we have created to address the changes and needs. We appreciate your assistance and patience with this new plan. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns as we make this transition.
Thanks,
Jared R. Broderick
Principal, Taylorsville Elementary
