School security foremost on Sparta parents' minds

Parents seek answers about alleged assault, By Fran Hardy Sparta — Keeping children safe is a top priority for parents. From choosing the right infant car seat to establishing parental controls on TV viewing and Internet use, protecting their kids from harm is a job most parents take very seriously. But when children go to school, that job is the responsibility of their teachers, administrators, and staff. In light of the recent school tragedies that have dominated national news this fall, Sparta parents are more anxious than ever about school security. They want answers about what is being done to ensure the safety of their children during school hours. Sparta officials have lately re-focused their efforts to step up security in a variety of ways. Recently, all building principals met as an administrative team to discuss school security and to decide upon new districtwide safety procedures. Schools have also set procedures particular to each building. Some new security measures could not be discussed publicly because it would compromise their effectiveness. District-wide procedures: All building principals sent letters home to parents to assure them that safety is a primary concern and to inform them of new procedures. Many of these are common to each school. • All peripheral doors will be locked during school hours, and visitors and personnel must enter through the main entrance. • Teachers and staff are required to wear identification badges at all times. • All visitors must sign in at the main office and wear a visitor’s badge at all times. • Teachers and staff, already trained in emergency and safety procedures, have had additional training with an emphasis on increased observation and vigilance. Procedures particular to each school include the following. Alpine Elementary: • Parent volunteers will be monitoring visitors and directing them to the main office. • Side doors to modular classrooms are accessible only by teachers with keys. • Cafeteria workers must enter through main entrance. • Aides will be assigned to open doors for students entering from recess. “Teachers and students have been educated about the need for constant vigilance. Anything out of the ordinary or any individual that raises suspicion in any way will be reported immediately,” said Alpine Principal Laura Trent. Helen Morgan Elementary: • Side doors to modular classrooms are accessible only by teachers with keys. • Student drop-off areas remain the same, but teachers are on duty at both the bus arrival entrance and the car arrival entrance. • PTO volunteers are on duty throughout the building to ensure that all visitors have signed in and wear badges.