Instructional Vision Visits
As part of our focus on the instructional vision, I have encouraged the admin team to pop around to classrooms as much as possible. This is to be curious and supportive about instruction at all levels. Many members of the leadership team are also getting coaching from the Lynch Leadership Academy out of Boston College or mentored by the Collaborative for Educational Services. There may be times our coach/mentor accompanies us on these visits. This is not to be evaluative--we are excited to see how the instructional vision is playing out across the district.
Safety Reminder
As a reminder, it is a part of our safety protocols to not permit anyone into the building that has not been vetted through security/the main office. This includes current and former students. There may be a number of reasons why we can't let in individuals who seem familiar including:
- student may be suspended or not welcomed on campus due to a safety emergency removal
- individual may have a court order and require an escort or notification to someone else on campus of their presence
- individual may have a no trespass order for whatever reason
- individual may have a profile in which the district attorney or local police have alerted us to vet before entering campus
Many times, specific information is not able to be shared widely due to confidentiality regulations. Therefore, compliance with these protocols is the key to keeping our building secure.
It is important that we are a welcoming place at Gateway, but we can be warm while still adhering to our protocols. Please remember:
- Never prop doors open for any reason at any time.
- Do not let someone in behind you as you are coming into the building (aka piggybacking). If you are wondering if they are allowed to be there, you can let them go ahead of you to buzz into security/the main office.
- If you don't know why someone is in the building and they do not have a visitor badge, please escort them to the main office.
Thank you for your attention to these protocols!
Reminder: A message from the School Based Health Center
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccine is available at the School Based Health Center. High dose vaccine for those 65 and older is also available upon request. Call or stop in today to get your immunization or for more information. School ext. 2134 or (413) 667-0142.
Although flu season lasts for months, experts say it’s best to get a flu vaccine by the end of
October.
