By Noah Whittaker
GRAYLING – Grayling Elementary School recently finished the installation of a new entry way, a more secure extension of the current lobby. Glass walls have been installed along the perimeter of the excising lobby along with new doors that will remain locked during school hours. Visitors to the school will now check in at the main office to receive a wristband before proceeding further into the building.
The construction of the new entryway allows the school to keep tabs on everyone entering and exiting the school throughout the course of the day. This not only helps with security, but also allows the school workers to help visitors and student get to their destination easier and with less confusion.
With prior arrangements, guardians, parents and guests are still able to volunteer in classrooms. They just need to check in with the office to notify the school that they have arrived. Dropping off items to students has also become easier with the new entry way. Now instead of the adult having to walk down to the classroom , the student will come to the office to meet the adult who is dropping off the item.
While the changes inside the school are the most evident, changes in dismissal procedures accompanied the new entry way. Students are now being dismissed from multiple points around the building. Parents of students in grades 1-5 now have designated areas to meet their students at dismissal time. Kindergarten parents are still invited to come down to their child’ room to retrieve their student at the end of the day.
Overall the response to the new entryway has been positive. Many parents have made it a point to thank the office staff for helping keep their children safe. Other parents have commented about how much quicker dismissal goes with the students spread out over several exits. Students also seem to enjoy having a designated pick up spot based on their grade level.
Gina Brunskill, principal of Grayling Elementary School, had this to say about the changes to the building, ‘This change to our building has been in the works for a while, and we are glad that it is completed. The support from our community has been great! We recognize that there are a few kinks that we will work out, but we are happy with the results of the project.’
Her sentiments were also echoed by a grandmother in the school office.
‘It is about time they did this,’ she exclaimed as she signed in to visit her granddaughter at lunch. She added ‘having to check in like this makes me feel my granddaughter is safe here,’ as she grabbed her wristband and headed out the door.
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