Hi everybody,<div><br></div><div>I hope you're enjoying the long weekend and having a peaceful day in remembrance of Dr. King.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm sending a preview of a letter I'll send home in backpacks tomorrow so that you have the latest version of the procedures we're using for managing access to the building. I welcome your feedback and look forward to working together to get this system running smoothly.</div>
<div><br></div><div>- Milo</div><div>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Dear
families,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">As
you have seen by now, we are in the process of reviewing and revising our
security and sign-in procedures to bring them in line with the instructions of
the division of school safety and to make our school a safer place. Each day over
the past two weeks, we’ve had about 80 families signing in during arrival. Thank you for your cooperation. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Our
school’s level of family access is extremely rare in DOE schools, and it is
something that we are proud of and committed to maintaining. Seeing how your child connects to
peers, routines, teachers, etc. can give you an important window into your
child’s development and improves the sense of partnership and connection
between you and the school.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">But
in order to maintain this level of access, we need to work together to make
sure that only people authorized to enter the building are allowed to enter,
and that we keep a record of everyone who has entered the building.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Below
is an outline of the full set of “visitor control procedures” we will be implementing. I’ve already made adjustments based on
feedback from parents, and I encourage you to problem solve with me in order to
get the system running as smoothly as possible. I’ve been asked to discuss these procedures at the next PTA
meeting (Th 1/19 at 8:30am) and at my next coffee hour (Tu 1/24 at 8:30am). I look forward to hearing from you then
(or by email in response to this note).
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Yours,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Milo</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-family:Calibri">-----------------------------------------Procedures---------------------------------------</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family:Calibri">At All Times:</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:39.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">Adults need proper ID to enter the building. (That
means a driver’s license, NY State Identification Card, passport, school ID
with picture or work ID with picture.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:39.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">Entering and exiting the building should
happen through the main double doors. Side and back doors are only used in
emergencies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">At Morning
Drop Off:</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">Everybody entering beyond the safety agent’s
desk must be identified and must sign in.
Because of the volume of people entering the building between 7:45 and
8:45, we have had Gladys and Noemi making visual IDs of people entering the
lobby, and then asking them to sign in next to their child’s name. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">Lobby Dropoff: Parents and caregivers can drop off students in the lobby
from 7:45 - 8:25 am and are welcome to remain with their children until class
starts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">Dropoff at Classrooms: Beginning at 8:23, parents may begin
bringing their children up to the classrooms. Class starts at 8:25, so unless there is a special event or
unless you have an appointment, you should expect to head back down once your
child is settled.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">After 8:45, sign-in will happen according to the plan below for
visitors</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri"><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Visitors
During the School Day:</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">From 8:45 am – 2:40 pm, visitors who enter
the building MUST sign in with the safety agent. You’ll present ID, sign the logbook,
and receive a visitor’s pass – turquoise for Neighborhood School, yellow for PS
63 – Star Academy. Please wear your pass the entire time you’re in the
building. You’ll then go to the <b>main
office</b> to check in about visiting the classroom. <b>If the person you are here to see is not available, the office staff </b>will
help you schedule a meeting at another time. This will ensure that class time isn’t
interrupted. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">If there is a special event in a classroom,
the teacher will leave a list of who was invited with the safety agent.
Families will follow the same procedures as stated above, BUT can go straight
to the classroom without checking in at the office.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">When visitors leave the building, they’ll
turn in their passes to the safety agent. This will allow the safety agent to
log their time out of the building.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Dismissal</span></u></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">From 2:40 - 3:40 pm, we’ll use the same procedure
that was used to sign in visitors at morning drop-off. Parents and caregivers who
pick up students from the lobby may wait in the lobby. Parents and caregivers
who pick up students at their classrooms, or who want to visit the office may
go upstairs beginning at 2:40. </span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">During dismissal, all students, parents and caregivers should <b>exit through the main double doors</b>. If
you’d like to go to the park, you should also exit through the front doors and
enter the park through curbside the gates.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri">Dismissal
from Afterschool Programs (Wingspan and University Settlement):</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">The regular pickup time from Wingspan is from
5:00 – 6:00 pm. For University
Settlement, the pickup time is from 5:30 – 6:00 pm. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">Beginning at 5:00 Wingspan students will be
in the small cafeteria, and beginning at 5:30, University Settlement students
will be in the large cafeteria. Parents and caregivers can sign the students
out directly with the program supervisor of their child’s afterschool program
instead of signing out with the safety agent.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">If a student in an afterschool program
forgets something upstairs during afterschool dismissal time, a staff member
from the child’s program will walk him or her upstairs to retrieve the item. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">If you are picking up your child before the
dismissal time of the program, you will sign in with the safety agent. For children in University Settlement, the
safety agent will direct you to the child’s classroom where you will sign out
the child on the afterschool roster.
For children in Wingspan, the safety agent will call Matt (the site
director), and an adult will bring the child down to meet you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">When an older sibling does early pick-up, the
sibling may go upstairs to pick up his or her brothers or sisters. If the
sibling has friends or acquaintances with him or her, the rest of the group
must stay downstairs in the lobby.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri">If you’ve gone upstairs, when you leave the
building, you’ll turn in your pass to the safety agent, who will log the time
out of the building.</span></p>
</div>