Goodwin Elementary to Reevaluate Open Door Policy

Dorothy C. Goodwin Elementary School released the following statement Wednesday.

Dear Parents,                                                                                                       
The events of Newtown have caused us to reevaluate our open door policy across the district. Currently, the district is meeting with safety experts and our first responders to develop a system wide approach to building security changes. In addition, we are collecting staff and parent input. In the interim, we are working to improve our pick up and drop off routine to ensure the safety of all students. Thank you for your patience as we work through our preliminary and temporary plans to address this. 

Until district plans are finalized, the following procedures will remain in effect at Goodwin.

Arrival: The vast majority of our students ride the bus. They will see no change in their arrival procedures.

Students who are driven to school by parents should be dropped off at the top of the stairs in the parking lot once a duty teacher arrives. Students should not be dropped off or walked in to school prior to    8:35.

School begins at 8:55. After that time, children are considered tardy and they cannot be dropped off. Parents must accompany their children into the building. Please park in the upper parking lot and proceed to the office.

Dismissal: If you are picking your child up at the end of the day, proceed to the dismissal door near the music and art room. The door will be opened by the duty teacher between 3:30 and 3:35. Once inside, proceed to the music room to sign your child out. Children will be dismissed to parents by the duty teacher. Unless prior arrangements for early dismissal have been made, you are expected to enter the building through the art/music dismissal door. You will not be buzzed in through the front door during regular dismissal times.

If you need to pick your child up early, call the office or send in a note. Unless there is an emergency, all early dismissals need to be preceded by a phone call or note. Early dismissals occur from the office. Please buzz in at the front door and proceed to the office when you are let in. 

By the end of this month, I anticipate that district policies and procedures will be in place across all Mansfield Public Schools. The procedures outlined above will be adjusted, if needed, based on district recommendations. Please be assured that everyone is doing their very best to respond to the lessons we are learning from Newtown and we are committed to providing your children with a safe and secure learning environment. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk with me. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Thank you!