smiley73's Blog

I went to school my entire childhood in a very prominent, safe town (certainly not private school but it was Lexington), where I grew up). Never had buzzers there either and kids played on the playground at recess and walked home from school. In fact, I don't know of any that do even now. Must be a private school thing....

Real,

I grew up in the neighboring town of Belmont. I went to the public schools and it was the same as Lexington. I had to take a bus as my house was too far to walk. But a lot of kids walked to school and it wasn't an issue. So sad it is now. I always felt safe.

Smiley, it really depends on the town you're talking about, but pretty much every affluent town around Boston has had its share of security problems. You have every right to be concerned, without question, but if you feel this is the best place for your son to attend, just keep pushing the security idea. I'm sure if you meet up with a few parents from the same school, you're going to find at least a few who feel the way you do.

Jovan, JDRF Gala is an event that raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The details, I don't know too many of, but I'm sure Smiley can fill you in on the rest.

My kids all graduated from Lexington High School, all since 1999. None of the schools had them when they were there but not sure what they've done now that they've built a few new schools. It's a shame to think that it's necessary, but I guess I have to admit it's true. There have always been house breaks but the three places people never felt vulnerable to crime were work, school and their cars. Not so much today. With the crazies shooting up companies and schools and people car jacking it just isn't safe anymore. Shameful.

Again, all have great points jovanone, you definately bring up a good point, action usually isn't taken until sadly, something happens. Chip, I agree with your statement too. I guess a balance of both is important tho. There is no guarantee that a buzz in system will prevent someone coming to any school however it allows one small step in alerting someone that SOMEONE is in the building. Xan I think you are right. Can't hurt to give gentle nudges if he ends up there. I just think it's so silly for a NEW school to not have this as a precaution. TheReal, I appreciate the good luck wishes. Its not easy thinking of letting my son go into this great big world..I am working on it, tho.. I am :)

PS JOVANONE, The JDRF Gala is a benefit for Juvenile Diabetes. My 11 yr son, the one we are all chatting about suffers from this horrible illness. He was diagnosed at age 6 in Kindergarten. He is no stranger to medical ailments and other needs which is in part the reason for a private school. JDRF is a wonderful organization that raises money for research in helping those today who suffer from it and hopefully one day will cure it too! Fox 25 is a HUGE sponsor of JDRF and their events!! They are always at the JDRF Boston Walk too which is Oct. 4th this year!!! Thanks for asking!!!!

Smiley,

I’m really sorry to hear about your son it must be extremely heart breaking for you. Diabetes is a horrible disease, my father passed away from it as did his mother, so it runs in our family and it is horrible. I don’t want to waste everyone’s time about his because I could go on forever.

Smiley thank you for the info. and I’ll make it a point to look for it in October. Good luck to both you and your son.

Sincerely,
Jovan

Chip - where do you live again? :-)

Smiley,

I agree with you, it sad that we have to look at our kids schools like that but now a days you ahve too. Its very important to have SECURITY BUZZERS!

I know at my daughter school they have student I.D's and its like a credit card the kids have to swip the I.D. card at all locked doors or they will not open. So if a child comes to school late all they have to use is the I.D. to get in.

IF a child lost there I.D. card they replace the old one with a new one and disable the old one.

The school does I.D. checks once a week in home rooms. Now I know most schools can not afford to have a system like my daughters school, but my daughter goes to a Vocational school and the kids a few years ago came up with the idea and it has worked out great!

Teach the kids how to learn and make my daughter school safe in the long run = PRICELESS!


Most Vocational schools have many trades for the students to pick from, but not only that other towns can use there services to keep the cost down to each towm/tax payer!

There is no 'safe place' anymore. Our school got a buzzer right after the Scotland tragic massacre, at a school in a 'safe town'. I think your school needs to rethink things. Even if someone has no evil intent, we have custody battles where parents can walk in and take children. It isn't always about evil being done to children--it's about keeping track of who is in your school. We all wear color coded lanyards and ID's and we can see at a glance, who belongs and who doesn't, and why they are there, ie visitor, substitute, employee. And believe me, if someone doesn't have an ID around there neck, EVERYBODY stops them.

Most Vocational schools have many trades for the students to pick from, but not only that other towns can use there services to keep the cost down to each towm/tax payer!

In my daughters school not only did they learn about saftey they planned how they wanted to provide it as well as learning.

I stress to people to find out if there Voc. School and also do the same for other schools. I find that some towns do not even look at using the Voc. Schools to do repairs or build things that would cost the town and tax payer much less.

I look at it this way. Safe money and teach the kids how to do it! Its called on hands teaching and learning!