ETON EDITION Vol. 35 No. 5
March 2013
From the Head of School
Security at Eton School: An Ongoing Process At the January Parent Council meeting, we had a lively discussion centered on the subject of security at Eton School and what steps could be taken to make the campus safer and improve the security of our community. I sent an e-mail on February 1 detailing some steps taken at school, and I would like to tell you more about the ongoing process of examining future measures. As a reminder, the steps implemented already include keeping doors locked to help prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to area where children are present, ensuring that all adults on campus display some sort of identification showing them to be an authorized visitor or a member of the faculty/staff. The latter step involves making sure that visitors and parents sign in when visiting Eton. These steps, of course, are not the end of the actions we will take to address existing issues. We do, however, want to make sure that any steps we take will achieve the goals we have. As a result, we have recently had two visitors to campus to survey our facility and procedures and give us recommendations regarding next steps. A School Resource Officer from the Bellevue Police Department visited campus in early February, and a private security consultant (specializing in schools) visited during the Mid-Winter Break. These visits resulted in several recommendations regarding ways to improve the physical security of our campus, and methods for improving policies and procedures. We are now in the process of prioritizing these recommendations and developing a timetable for implementation based on logistical feasibility and financial capacity. We will soon be installing a new phone system that will improve campus communications (and improve communications between school and home). We will also be getting estimates for improved door locks, minor structural changes, additional lighting, and possible
changes to landscaping. With some of these changes, there will also be procedural changes; we will keep you apprised of any modifications. Because some steps will involve considerable work and possible disruptions to classrooms, those steps will not be implemented until a break when students are not on campus. Please know that we take the matter of security very seriously and that the safety and well-being of our students is critical among our concerns. Thank you for your support and continuing to trust us with the care of your loved ones. Dr. Russell Smith, Head of School
In This Issue Development................................................................ 2 Admission..................................................................... 3 Clubhouse FAQs......................................................... 4 PNMA News................................................................ 4 Tuition Refund Plan FAQs....................................... 5 Class News.................................................................... 6 Specialist News............................................................ 9 From the Office.......................................................... 15
Eton School Newsletter