Students At Risk

To the Editor:

Security risk? I work in the Newtown School District at one of the elementary schools. Recently, while two of our classes were outdoors running the mile for gym class, I noticed two people and their leashed dog cutting across school property to get back to their home. Their home is located directly across the street from the back of the school.

Upon inquiry at the school office, I was told that this is allowed as long as the dog is leashed and as long as they owners clean up after the dog if need be.

What I would like to know is why is it okay for “strangers” to be on school property in the first place? How can all the staff and all the children know that these two people are “safe.” It was, in fact, a student who pointed them out to me and informed me that those two people weren’t wearing “visitors’ passes.”

Shouldn’t these people at least be required to wear visitors’ passes when they know they are going to be cutting across school property — not to mention being required to close the school gate (which they left wide open)?

I believe this practice is putting our students at risk and should not be allowed to continue. Thank you.

Lillian Barry

9 Washbrook Road, Newtown                                          May 13, 2009