A simple security strategy you can implement today is to view your building through a different lens, checking to make sure there are no doors propped open when someone is running out to the car just to grab something they forgot, and that staff and students refrain from opening secondary entrances to let others into the building. This is a chance to work together to make these small safety improvements.

Attending to physical security also includes asking that parents and visitors sign in at the office when they arrive on campus, and sign students out when they leave the building. This allows us to keep track of who is in our buildings and enables us to do a better job of keeping all children safe. While it may not always be comfortable, we can train ourselves to approach parents and other visitors, without fear that they will perceive it as a confrontation. It becomes easier when we view it as an opportunity to educate our visitors about the ways in which we are all working together to ensure everyone’s safety.

We can say something along the lines of, ”Hi! I want to let you know about our new safety policy. All visitors need to sign in at the office and get a visitor badge, even if it’s just for a quick trip to drop off a lunch,” or “Hi! Can I help you find what you’re looking for? Were you able to sign in at the front office when you arrived? You might not know about our sign-in policy. We’re asking all visitors to sign in at the office and pick up a visitor badge. It helps us keep everyone in our building safe.”