New electronic door locking systems have been installed at three of our schools, and the software system is now being tested and calibrated. We anticipate that the critical features will be operational for the first day of school. These systems, including cameras and a "buzz in" feature at main entry points, are now in place at Blaine Primary School, Blaine Elementary School and Blaine Middle School. The equivalent system at Blaine High School will be operational following completion of Phase III construction, slated for the summer of 2019.
At this time, electronic doors at Blaine Primary School, Blaine Elementary School and Blaine Middle School will remain unlocked at student arrival time in the morning and then be locked at 8:30am (on a "standard schedule" day). School doors will remain locked throughout the day. Those approaching the main entry points at these three schools, after 8:30am, will need to be "buzzed in" by office personnel.
Visitors to the Middle School, after 8:30am, must use the school's main entrance on H Street. Those attempting to enter from the PAC doors will be redirected to the H Street entrance. The PAC doors' overall schedule needs to be adjusted to accommodate students during "passing time", as we still have students, for one additional year, that will be moving between the Middle School and the High School for Band and Choir classes.
As the new year gets underway, we may need to make some additional adjustments to these schedules and related protocols. Door locking schedules will also be modified accordingly on late start days.
Parents and patrons at Blaine High School are directed to use the south entrance of the building, facing the football field, where a reception office will be located during the 2018-19 school year. There is no public entrance to the High School from the north side of campus during the final phase of construction. The main student entrance on the west end of the cafeteria experiences a steady stream of student traffic throughout the school day, as students continue to transition between classes in the gym complex, the old CTE building and the Middle School (Band and Choir). An elevated video camera at the cafeteria door will be connected to a wall mounted monitor in the High School office so that this area can be more directly monitored by supervisory staff throughout the school day, and particularly at "passing time". As indicated above, the electronic locking features at this door will not be fully operational until Phase III construction is complete.
We appreciate the cooperation of staff, students, parents and patrons as we continue to work toward making our campus a safer place for those that work and learn here each day.