ATHABASCA – Parents across the Aspen View region may have noticed some security changes at their local school over the last year, including the presence of doorbells, security cameras, and a locked front entrance.
Aspen View Public School (AVPS) Supt. Constantine Kastrinos said those changes are unfortunately needed to keep students and staff safe in the modern world — he said stakeholders can expect a consistent approach to security in the coming months as administration finalizes updates to the divisions outdated school door policy.
“I know the community is very used to just pulling open the door and walking in, and maybe walking down to the classroom to give their kid their lunch,” said Kastrinos during the board’s May 2 meeting. “However, in today’s world we need to be a little more cognizant around safety, and who’s accessing buildings.”
Some schools, like Whispering Hills Primary School in Athabasca, have had these measures in place for a while now. Others, like Edwin Parr Composite (EPC), were added this year, and Smith School and Landing Trail Intermediate School should have new door systems in place by the time students return to class in September.
“Although it seems like it’s less welcoming, it’s really more welcoming because once they ring that doorbell someone’s going to come to greet them and let them in, which is a positive as well,” said Ernest Aleixandre, AVPS’s technology department lead.
Growing Pains
As Aspen View is fond of saying, each of their schools is different, and in this case, that means there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to the question.
“We want to make sure we’re maintaining the intent of the guideline, while still allowing that school to operate efficiently,” said Ross Hunter, a communications officer with the school division. “Each school has a little bit of flexibility to do their setup from a technical stance and what makes sense for their operation. They can keep older students who may be coming and going during spares from being an obstacle.”
Hunter pointed to EPC as an example; as the division’s only Grades 7-12 school, EPC has opted for an approach where the doors are locked during class time but unlock during transition periods and breaks.
“Some of our K-12 schools there’s not that many high school students, never mind being on spares, so a doorbell system will work,” said Hunter. “EPC, it’s a bit of a different dynamic.”
Volunteer Safety
Another hot topic around security has been Aspen View’s policy on what level of documentation volunteers need to work within schools. Under Administrative Procedure 490-4, which trustees also discussed during their May 2 meeting, clearer language regarding when a volunteer needs a criminal record and/or vulnerable sector check to work with schools was defined.
“It’s not meant to be a deterrent for volunteers, but I think there’s a perception coming across that way,” said trustee April Bauer. “I think some communication around the safety of our buildings, the safety of our students, and the safety of our staff could help us change that community perception.”
Aspen View's administration is in the process of updating procedures for school access to reflect current practices. In the meantime, trustees will be bringing the topic to their respective student councils for discussion.
“It’s important to stress that we want parents to come to the school, to volunteer, read to kids, help tie skates, and just do things that parent volunteers should do,” said Kastrinos. “At the same time, we need to know when it’s happening, how it’s happening, who’s coming in and out. All it takes is one negative incident.
“Every parent would be upset if something were to happen and the door wasn’t locked, or a camera wasn’t in place.”
