Many schools are using various door entry systems to aid in visitor screening. Strong access control and visitor management is one important component of a comprehensive school safety strategy. One weakness we consistently see in our security assessment consultations nationwide is in the training of main office and other staff who use the security technology […]
Blog Archives
When Did Common Sense End in School Discipline and Safety?
Training students not to open exterior school doors to let someone inside is a best practice. Suspending a student who violated the rule to help a woman with her hands full is not a best practice. A Southampton County, Virginia, middle school student was suspended from school after opening a door for a woman with […]
A Stranger is in Your School: Does Anyone Know What to Do?
“Good morning. How may I help you?” This is one of the most powerful phrases any adult responsible for child safety can say to maintain a safe school. It is also one that is used the least by school staff. A February 24th Associated Press article entitled, “Police: Colo. gunman entered the school earlier,” reported […]
School Access Control: Two Simple, But Powerful, Practices
Proximity or swipe card readers, electronic door opening controls, surveillance cameras, and visitor management systems are among a list of access control and management strategies put in place in schools across the nation. School administrators and safety officials can effectively integrate these and other strategies into their school security plans. But two simple, but powerful, practices are too frequently overlooked and/or under-emphasized: […]