School Visitors
I. Purpose
To establish procedures for visitors to Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD).
II. Definitions
III. Procedures
A. Pre-Screening of Visitors
1. All visitors are required to enter a school building through the designated exterior electronic access entry doors equipped with a video monitoring system.
a. Columbia Campus: All visitors to the Columbia Campus are required to register through the Steiner Building's front offices or the main office in the Denton Building upon arrival.
b. Frederick Campus: All visitors to the Frederick Campus are required to register at the main office in the Ely Building or the Kent-McCanner Building upon arrival.
NOTE: Kiosks in Kent-McCanner will not include a video monitoring system.
B. Sign-In Process
1. Each visitor must state their name and purpose for their visit.
2. The visitor is required to present their photo identification card and sign in and obtain a visitor badge to be visible at all times while on MSD campuses.
NOTE: Any person who does not have a visible campus visitor badge should be immediately escorted to the front office.
NOTE: Front office staff should maintain a copy of the daily sign-in sheet for at least three (3) years.
3. Visitors must be escorted and/or accompanied by a MSD employee at all times throughout their visit.
EXCEPTIONS:
a. Law enforcement and other first responders: If law enforcement and/or other first responders are responding to an emergency, they should bypass the sign-in process.
b. Large groups for assemblies, performances, etc.: If there is a large group of visitors entering the school building for honor roll assemblies, performances, etc., that are only located in one part of the building, they should bypass the sign-in process.
C. Visits are arranged as follows:
1. Campus/Classroom Visits and Conferences
a. Campus/classroom visits are at the discretion of the Department Principal/administrator, and will not be permitted during testing.
NOTES:
— Observations will not be permitted during off-campus field trips, etc. (excluding approved volunteers and chaperones).
— Campus/classroom visits will not take place during Extended School Year unless visits are from the Local Education Agency.
— For confidentiality purposes, visitors will complete the confidentiality agreement form prior to conducting a classroom visit/observation.
b. Campus/classroom visits and/or conferences by parents/guardians must be arranged and approved at least five days in advance.
c. Campus/classroom visits and conferences must be conducted in such a manner that the visits and/or conferences do not interfere with the classroom activities of any students in the class.
d. The Department Principal/administrator may limit repeated or lengthy visits that may disrupt the educational environment.
NOTE: The length of the visit is at the discretion of MSD administrators.
2. Campus Visits by Parents/Guardians of Prospective Students
MSD welcomes the opportunity to share the educational programming with parents/guardians of prospective students. If you are interested in having a tour to see the educational programs on the Frederick or Columbia Campus, please contact the Coordinator of Outreach and Admissions, Erin Buck, at [email protected].
3. Classroom Visits and Conferences by Educational Professionals
a. Classroom visits and conferences by educational professionals are at the discretion of the Department Principal/administrator, but will not be permitted during classroom/school/state testing or educational and related service evaluations.
b. Classroom visits and/or conferences by educational professionals must be arranged and approved at least five (5) days in advance.
c. Classroom visits may not last longer than one hour per visit.
NOTE: Length of visits are at the discretion of MSD administrators.
d. Classroom visits and conferences must be conducted in such a manner that the visits and/or conferences do not interfere with the classroom activities of any students in the class.
e. The Department Principal or designee shall accompany the educational professional during the classroom visit at all times.
NOTE: Photos and video recording devices are prohibited during classroom visits/observations.
4. Observations by Individuals or Groups
An individual or group interested in visiting the campus and/or observing a specific class/program must contact the Department Principal, Chief Educational Programs Officer, and/or Dean of Student Affairs to obtain approval for the visit/observation.
NOTE: This also applies to alumni and/or personal visitors.
D. Subject to the exception below, requests by parents/guardians to have a tutor, counselor, psychologist, or attorney in their employ come to school to work with a student will not be approved.
EXCEPTION:
Community partnerships and agencies that provide services to students through agreement with MSD may have appropriate access to students at school for required services (i.e. Connections Beyond Sight & Sound, Department of Social Services, Local Education Agency (Enhanced Services), etc.
E. American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters: School visitors may be expected to provide an ASL Interpreter at their own expense as determined on a case by case basis.
IV. Monitoring and Compliance
The main office must maintain a copy of the school's daily sign in log on file for three (3) years.
VI. Legal References
MD. Education Code Ann. §26-101
MD. Education Code Ann. §26-102
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE HISTORY
- Adopted: January 2024
- Reviewed: October/November 2023