School news
Published 10:04 am Tuesday, September 30, 2014
School Board supports I-594; to move ahead on world languages
First the Mercer Island City Council weighed in on the state’s firearm initiatives. The Mercer Island School District wasn’t far behind to follow suit.
At its Sept. 25 regular board meeting, the Mercer Island School Board unanimously voted to support Initiative 594 and oppose Initiative 591 in November’s general election. The hope is to encourage Mercer Island voters to do the same.
Under I-594, criminal and public safety background checks would be required on all gun sales, including those purchased at gun shows and online, thus eliminating the “gun show loophole” allowing private sales without a background check.
Speaking for the motion to support I-594, school board member and Washington State School Directors’ Association Legislative Representative Pat Braman said she believed I-594 has the potential for making schools safer.
“Over the years, we’ve seen so many tragedies in schools. The young people or adults involved with those deaths had used weapons they wouldn’t have had if they had this kind of requirement,” Braman said in a phone call. “None of us want to go through what so many communities have had to go through.”
Earlier in the meeting, the board also moved to return the topic of world languages at the elementary level to the superintendent for further investigation. The board cited details such as the program model, funding, staffing and changes to the school schedule needing to be further examined.
“I think we’ve made it clear we think this is interesting and that it’s something we’d like to do if there’s a way,” Boardmember Brian Emanuels said.
Visitors must now check in at electronic kiosk
The Mercer Island School District (MISD) has installed a new security feature at each elementary school to increase student safety and make the check-in process for visitors more efficient.
The new tablet-sized LobbyGuard kiosk at the front desk of each elementary school quickly scans a visitor’s driver’s license against a national database and local customized lists to prevent visitors who should not be in school buildings for a variety of reasons. It also identifies the purpose of the visit, takes a photo and prints a one-time, wearable badge for the visitor.
“All visitors to our schools must be easily identifiable,” said MISD Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. “This new security tool will help us ensure that only those people with a reasonable purpose for being in our schools are there and that every adult on campus will have a district badge. Any non-student who does not have a staff or visitor badge will be required to immediately go to the front office to check in using this process.”
School visitors must carry photo identification at all times.
“Our schools are fortunate to have a high volume of regular visitors and volunteers,” said MISD Human Resources Director Mark Roschy. “Beyond increasing student safety, this system will make their check-in process much more efficient and produce an easily identifiable single-use badge. The system will also allow us to create more accurate logs of volunteer hours, which used to be done manually.”
MI Schools Foundation board members wanted
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is looking for dedicated volunteer board members to help lead and strengthen its successful fundraising programs.
Ideally, the Board representation includes individuals from all neighborhoods on the Island with or without children in Mercer Island Public Schools.
Additionally, all Mercer Island Public Schools are represented by Board membership.
A few hours a month will help ensure all 4,200 students grades K-12 attain the full promise of their academic success.
To find out whether this volunteer opportunity is right for you, and to get more information, please call Penny Yantis, Executive Director, at 206-275-2550.
