PSUSD implements closed campus policy for upcoming school year
Students in the west Coachella Valley will be heading back to school next week, but in the Palm Springs Unified School District there will be some very noticeable changes when parents arrive on campus.
It’s a new closed campus policy that will now be in effect district wide… aimed at improving student safety.
A door shut and locked. It’s the new safety policy in a nutshell for PSUSD implementing a closed campus policy in light of increased school shootings.
“It came after the Parkland shooting,” Dr. Anne Kalisek, PSUSD executive director student support services, said. “I think that was what really caused it to be discussed in more detail.”
The policy means no visitors including parents will be able to enter without checking in and getting a badge. All gates will be locked and the only entry point will be through the office. Any visitor will be escorted while on campus.
Staff says while most of the middle and high schools already have this policy, elementary schools will now be included. It’s an idea many parents agree with.
“It gives me a great peace of mind because it ensures that my kid, not only my son, but the rest of the kids on campus would be safe,” Patrick Madrigal, parent of a PSUSD student, said.
PSUSD staff said in the past, they have had instances where parents were able to enter the campuses of elementary schools and get to the classroom door. That raised safety concerns and which will no longer be an issue with this new policy.
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“That’s not safe for the students nor the teacher, so I think it really makes them feel safer that someone can’t just come on campus,” Dr. Kalisek said.
a former vice prinicpal at cathedral city high school agrees….
“It’s absolutely good policy to have in today’s time and I know Cathedral City High School started doing it this year and we locked all the gates, the whole time,” Sue Loversky said.
For any educator, the safety of students is their number one priority.
PSUSD did say they are making an exception for the first day of school at elementary schools.
They will allow parents to walk their students to their classrooms.
