Summit Schools Visitor Ban Draws Mixed Reactions

Numerous Patch readers sounded off positively and negatively in the past week about the Summit School District’s new policy that bans unannounced visitors.

In a letter sent to district parents on July 19, Superintendent Nathan Parker said parents will no longer be able to drop in “unannounced” to visit their children or drop off any forgotten items beginning in September. Students will get IOUs if they forgot their lunch, but will suffer the consequences for forgotten classroom supplies and assignments. 

Some readers agree with the new policy, saying it will lessen classroom interruptions, teach students to be more responsible, provide more school security, and is a policy other districts should implement.

Many other readers disagree with the policy, saying it is a way of keeping the community, particularly parents, out of the schools, and does not address security gaps or improve security throughout the district. A few of those readers also say it should be the parent’s job to teach their child responsibility, not the school’s job, by not bringing in forgotten items to school.

Below, take a look at comments from readers and please share your thoughts on this policy.

Natalie Davis (Editor) July 24, 2013 at 10:23 PM

As a SHS parent, I am a wee bit annoyed but mostly encouraged and grateful about the opportunity to reinforce important concepts to young people. Dr. Parker is correct about teaching kids responsibility and accountability, I think, so I'll defer to his judgment on this and tell my kid: DON'T FORGET STUFF! :-) 

A Buck and a Duck! July 25, 2013 at 09:59 AM

Sad. 

Ken July 25, 2013 at 10:11 AM

While I could care less about this policy (i.e I could take either side) the numbers don't work. Are they saying that 400 parents visit the Summit HS every day? One-third of the student body's parents are stopping by the HS every day? In a 7 hour school day, 57 parents are visiting every hour? One a minute? Come on, get your facts straight. Now that we've got this important issue out of the way, do we have a plan to get our high school back on the radar of Ivy League institutions?

Summit Res July 25, 2013 at 11:17 AM

Ken - I did the same calculation - ONE A MINUTE - what nonsense! When did they measure this? - on "back-to-school" night! and Ken, remember many families have more than one student so it's even more ridiculous than you calculated. It's not about security at all, it is about not wanting parents around. They had parent representatives involved - who? - "hand-picked Kool-Aid drinking sycophants" as usual? "Teach responsibility" - there are better ways to address this. "both positive and negative feedback" - heavily biased toward the positive of course - people aren't going to speak up because of the threat, (real or perceived), of retaliation against their kids. "You need to make appointments to see teachers and admins now" - was that not always the case? I don't ever recall just popping in unannounced to chat with teachers and principals! Do you think this will rule apply when the star LAX player forgets their gear - I doubt it? Frankly, the worst offenders are going to disregard the policy anyway and those that were respectful in the first place will be the ones affected. And let's not forget - as usual they roll this out during the summer when people are away, and BoE is done for the year - typical. Yet more Parker BS - who know what he'll come up with next - guess he is seeking revenge for his pet project "FDK" being shot down. Nauseatingly pathetic.

Patch Up July 25, 2013 at 12:08 PM

AGREE... This new policy is another way to keep out the community and take parenting decisions off the table. This is really about the burden of running a "security" system that is being interrupted throughout the day. They set up a buzzer system that requires constant attention and thus interruptions to their day - then they decide it's too much effort to maintain so let's blame it on the over-stressed over-structured students who need a little help now and then. Schools are suppose to be a welcoming part of the community - Not a jailer. I'm very offended by this policy and by the timing of it! 

Joe July 25, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Ken, Read it more carefully... "as many as 400". Not 400 every day.

MsSummit July 25, 2013 at 01:02 PM

The timing of this policy, during the summer, when nobody is around is a deliberate move on Parker's to not only not include the community, but also to make sure he could push this through without any pushback. Who are the 4 parents that were selected, and how were they selected? Why was this not announced--at a board meeting, where there could be a public forum? Why are parents being punished--teaching kids responsiblity? What kind of rationale is that? This man is a liar, and a sneak. He doesn't care about our kids, their education, and he is now punishing the basketball parents for exposing his lies and ineptness, and the rest of the Summit parent community for not supporting his FDK initiative. Parents need to speak up and let him and the Board know that this policy is not going to be tolerated in its entirety. Appts w/ teachers/staff-yes, makes sense. Calling a day ahead to pick up a kid? Nonsense. The odd morning when things go askance and something is forgotten? Come on...if there are some parents who are repeatedly showing up unannounced (can't even imagine why), the building principal needs to speak to them. But to punish all of us, in the name of security?

MsSummit July 25, 2013 at 01:11 PM

Joe: the story says, "as many as 400 in a day" so, as several have pointed out, the math just doesn't work...of course, it doesn't say 400 unannounced parents, so I'll bet that he picked a day when parents were in the building for an event, and then used that as his example...all part of his knuckleheaded lies to bend the stats to support this policy. As for Natalie--I'm concerned that as a parent you are deferring to Parker's judgment. As a parent, I rely on my own judgment, and that of my spouse, when determining what is wrong or right in terms of child-rearing..and, when in doubt, consult with respected sources for advice and guidance. Why, oh why, would you trust this man to make judgment calls related to raising your children? Do you have that much faith in his judgment? 

Patch Up July 25, 2013 at 01:13 PM

If there ever was a count of "400" visitors to SHS, it had to be a day in the spring when they asked parents to come in to help for either the musical (which creates tremendous foot traffic) and/or assist with a fundraiser for the successful swim team or some legitimate reason for such a high count. No one can believe that the number is anywhere near that count and to use it as an argument for this "security" policy is wrong. This anomaly was used to strengthen the agenda of a few. Who really are the few who voted for this policy is what I'd like to know? As they say, "no good deed goes unpunished". Fundraising and volunteer workers keep SHS a special place. This policy will jeopardize the welcoming feeling for this community.

Summit Res July 25, 2013 at 04:10 PM

Joe - I read it carefully, (I can't speak for Ken), and yes it does say "as many as" and yes it does not say, or even imply that they are all "unannounced". I CHOSE to ignore this wording because it is so clearly deliberate and manipulative on their part. Nice to know that Greco can carefully select each word and nuance to manipulate the truth in her job as "Communications Specialist." "“This is not to say we don't want parents involved or in our schools,” Greco said in an email" - BULL$#!^ - does she think we are stupid. It would be nice if she could deliver a District Website that is informative and COMMUNICATIVE instead of the disorganized, hard to use, (and ugly - although that is just my opinion), piece of junk that they have up there just now. It's almost like it has been deliberately designed to hide and obfuscate useful and important information, it contains circular links, and simply serves up a bunch of "warm and fuzzy" fluff and self-congratulatory back-slapping. Do they ever go and look at other district's Websites - Summit's is a pathetic and shameful disgrace.

Tyler D July 25, 2013 at 08:16 PM

The policy is not based on any factual information. Nothing has changed in the community. There have been no incidents. No threats. No basis for severing the close ties of the schools to the community. 

David July 26, 2013 at 01:47 PM

I'm extremely disturbed by Dr. Parker's new policy as I feel it does not address security gaps or improve security but rather only punishes those who are not a threat. Banning or limiting parents’ ability to visit our schools or conduct the business of everyday life is completely unacceptable and inconsistent with the values and community of Summit. Approaches and policies like this lead reasonable people to question the judgment and leadership of our schools. It is completely counter to the Summit community.

Summit Res July 26, 2013 at 04:23 PM

As I said above this is nothing to do with security, it's about keeping parents away. Yesterday's Star-Ledger says that a group was set up by Parker after the Newtown shooting. As I recall nothing short of multiple armed guards would have stopped that from happening; certainly not a "no parents/visitors" policy. According to the article "nearly 400 people a day, or roughly 2,000 people a week visited Summit High School this year, according to the group's review of visitor logs." So contrary to above article it is "nearly 400" not "up to 400". Not only that - the 400 is based on visitor logs. Whenever I have visited the front desk, i.e. "dropped in unannounced" I did not even sign a log - you only sign the log if you are going beyond the front desk!! So parents dropping stuff off are, logically, not even included in the 400!! In the article Parker says he has received only a few complaints - well of course, as stated above a) it is the Summer, most people have not even heard about this yet; b) those against it are afraid to speak up; c) the people who abuse the current system will ignore it anyway, (or at least assume that it does not apply to them). 

A Buck and a Duck! July 26, 2013 at 06:18 PM

Cut the cord people. 

jeff goldstein July 26, 2013 at 06:34 PM

This will decrease security at SHS. Almost all of the students have cell phones so they can meet up with a parent by going out to the parking lot lunch time or gym. They can even get stuff through first floor windows. They do this now but it would increase. At least now parents have to leave stuff in the office so the office staff sees them and what they are leaving. This is just another example of Nathan Parker promoting his ideas without understanding Summit.

David Hoffman July 27, 2013 at 01:24 AM

Once again, school administration is defining arrogance by its actions. Parents should always feel welcomed in a school. If a student forgets his lunch or an assignment, the parent can teach responsibility by refusing to bring these things to the school. That should be the parents decision, not the schools. 

jsmith July 27, 2013 at 05:36 AM

Bring this up to the school board. Start a petition on change.org. A child forgot their lunch and a parent can't drop it off...really? Schools should stick to teaching and let parents do the parenting. The lines have become blurred. I seriously question what is going on behind the school walls when a policy like this is put in place.

Shelly July 27, 2013 at 04:29 PM

I completely agree with this policy. If you've never worked In a school you have no idea how many visitor interruptions there are in the main office every day. And, by the way, most of these interruptions are by the same people, for the same students, over and over and over. If your high school student is still forgetting his lunch or his homework or his sports equipment, it's time for you to work with him to become more responsible rather than try and cut down the Administration!

sgi22 July 27, 2013 at 05:05 PM

I definitely agree as well. I work in a school (not in NJ) and I can assure you that when you come to up to to school to give Jr., his school lunch money, homework, project, sneakers, his keys, cell phone, etc. it INTERRUPTS the class. When you go to office to see Jr., the office needs to find the class, call for Jr. over the intercom/speakers/walkies and if that fails call the classroom. And yes, its the same kids over and over. Shouldn't we also be concerned with safety?

Vic8616f July 28, 2013 at 10:25 AM

"as many as 400 people visit Summit High School every day and many of them are parents" doesn't mean all of them are parents. If something were to happen at the school you would not blink twice at them doing this after. Bad things happen and I rather my kids be safe and deal with the nuisance then get that awful phone call. My parents never had to worry about people coming to schools and harming your kids when I was young. They never dropped off anything when I forgot it either and it taught me responsibility for college and beyond. What are you going to do when your kid forgets something at home and they went back to college thats over four hours away or more. Drive it to them? I think this is a great thing and other towns should follow.

Summit Res July 28, 2013 at 12:43 PM

Vic8616f & sgi22 & Shelly - Yes we should be concerned about safety, but this policy is nothing to do with safety - it is about the administration trying to keeps parents away, hidden in the guise of safety. If someone is going to do something bad, THIS policy does nothing to stop it. If the same parents and kids are involved in this, (which I agree is for sure the case), then address those troublemakers, not everyone. If you want to make kids more responsible then say that, don't lie about what you are doing, as Parker is doing. As I said above the 400 per day, (which I simply don't believe), is according the the Star-Ledger, based on the logs. If you are just dropping stuff at the front office you don't even sign the logs. There are ~1,200 kids in the HS, probably ~700-800 families - the numbers simply do not compute. Of course this is not the first time Parker's numbers have not computed. When will we get a full accounting of what the basketball coach situation cost us? Costs of FDK, costs of HS Auditorium, bonuses and increases for administrators, costs of Franklin addition. Wonder what measures they will put in place for all the construction projects - it would seem that that poses more safety issues than the hundreds of parents descending on the HS every day, pouring in at a rate of almost 1 per minute.

sgi22 July 28, 2013 at 08:04 PM

Summit Res, I believe you are wrong. Every visitor that enters a school building needs to have their name logged in the security book before going to office. At least that's how it is in my school if you enter the door and need to be serviced in any way, your ID is checked. And why is everyone picking our one statement instead of reading the whole article?

jeff goldstein July 28, 2013 at 08:10 PM

sgi, I don't know what school you have experience with but in the past if you dropped something off at the Summit High School you didn't show id and didn't sign in. You just told a staffer who you were dropping stuff for and you put it in a bookcase. 

sgi22 July 28, 2013 at 09:16 PM

You all really need to get out of your country club school mentalities and out into the real world, in real inner city schools. My "interruptions" meant in the classroom, not in a main office. And I work in an inner city school, outside of NJ and we log in and check everyone that comes in the door, even if then parent comes in daily. I can assure you that a gun-toting terrorist would more likely appear in a school with lax security then where i work. Does Sandy Hook ring any bells? I bet you parents there had Birkin bags. You pay all this money in taxes to send your kids to the best schools, then you complain about parents feeling unwelcome. Shouldn't you be worried about education and safety?

Summit Res July 28, 2013 at 10:04 PM

sgi22 You don't know our district or the procedures that it follows, (or does not follow), you don't know our administration or how poor it is, (poor as in incompetent, not financially - they are the highest paid in the county). While plenty of people in town may have country club attitudes I do not. We do pay a lot in taxes and frankly our schools are far from the best when it comes to academics. I am worried about education and our schools fall down significantly on that front. Sandy Hook has nothing to do with this whatsoever. I have no idea what terrorists have to do with this either, they certainly had nothing to with Sandy Hook. If someone is heavily armed, signing in or not is not going to make any difference, neither is a “no visitor” policy. Yet again let me state - in Summit this policy has NOTHING TO DO WITH SAFETY. While I respect your right to comment, I'm sorry, but with no knowledge of the actual situation, your posts simply make no sense. 

sgi22 July 29, 2013 at 06:56 AM

Ms Summit posted " unless Parker or Sears thinks one of these renegade moms might be smuggling a gun-toting terrorist in her Birkin bag. I'd rather Sears focus on keeping the illegal drugs OUT of the high school...and, no, the moms are not smuggling them in the dropped off lunch bags and tuba cases." That is the comment I was responding to. I see that it had been deleted/ removed. My comments may not make sense to you, but I'm entitled to make them just the same. 

Summit Res July 29, 2013 at 10:25 AM

sgi22 As I said "While I respect your right to comment, I'm sorry, but with no knowledge of the actual situation, your posts simply make no sense."