South Salem Elementary School’s Cliff Way gate entrance will be opened once more for walkers, reversing an earlier decision, Principal Pia Ferrante announced.
Ferrante emailed parents Friday detailing the results of an Aug. 25 meeting on the matter. She said the school has hired a second security guard and additional staff to help with arrival and dismissal.
“This means both the Cliff Way door and the Cliff Way gate will be open for independent walkers only,” she wrote. “We will reduce additional traffic on the campus by not allowing chaperones at Cliff Way to continue with the goal of increasing student safety at Salem.”
Ferrante also discussed the initial protocols for Cliff Way users until further reassessment.
During arrival and departure, the Cliff Way door will remain locked, with regulated access in and out of the school provided by a security guard and/or additional personnel.
The gate will be open only from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Any other time, including if one is late, they must access the school through the front office.
Only students will be permitted to pass through the gate. The security guard and/or personnel stationed at the Cliff Way door must swipe students into the building.
The Cliff Way dismissal will begin at 2:55 p.m. The gate will be opened for all independent walkers. Parents may meet their children at the gate but are not permitted on campus during dismissal.
Ferrante said that the safety committee will review these processes in September.