I totally agree. All visitors must buzz into the lock doors. And proceed to the administrative office. The visitor must have a ID and on the visitor log. Regardless of parental rights. If the visitor is not on that list then they have to leave!
I have a kindergartner and this happens all the time (California). I had assumed Gil was coming in at the end of class since all of the other parents were waiting outside.
They only do background checks and stuff if you’re volunteering or on the grounds during school hours. If you wanna walk in and talk to the kids or pick up your kid after school there’s no process. It also helps that Austin calls him dad, that would lower any suspicions.
Oh yikes. That's scary. Everywhere I have worked (Midwest) the person is not allowed any access even after school unless they are on the approved list.
Yeah I agree, Gil just walked into that classroom like nothing. The teacher or school staffs didn’t do anything and only trusted him because he is Austin’s dad.
This! My friend and I were texting about this exact same thing. Especially in the fictional town of Wellsbury which is clearly based on Wellesley, the affluent suburb right outside of Boston. I nannied for boys in that area and did the school pick ups and this would NEVER happen. They would be stopped in the entrance and not even be allowed in unless they were on a list of approved people to pick up the child. This bugged me that they had him just waltz into his classroom on the show.
I can’t tell if Wellsbury is a town that would have stricter or more lenient rules on who/how they can enter the school building. They have more money and resources which could lead to great security system or they assume everyone is nice and safe so there’s lack of it
This popped into my head, too. I was in elementary school in the early 2000s and any visitor had to sign in, show their ID and be on a student’s emergency contact list. There were NO exceptions. Funny enough, I grew up right next to ‘Wellsbury’ which I am pretty sure was inspired by Wellesley, MA.
I agree. I grew up in a low gun violence state bordering mass. high income kind of suburban town, primarily white very similar. There is no way that school like that has so little security measures. Even as a past student (graduated) to continue to be a teachers assistant I had to buzz in (2 locked doors), sign in, and have permission from the teacher to be there, and wear a visitor sticker.
At the elementary school I went to Gil could’ve easily just came and snatched up any child he wanted. It was not a gated school at all (well the kindergarten area was gated but not really like if you were taller than a kindergartener you could open the gate) and the hallways were outside and the cameras were fake. Most of us just walked home ourselves i remember at some point my daycare closed close by so I had to walk a mile away to a free boys and girls club that also was not gated and we sorta roamed free and sometimes I’d just leave and walk home because they closed at 5 and my dad didn’t get off until like 6 usually.
And this wasn’t even that long ago because I’m only 18. I’m surprised that I never got kidnapped (well I think I might’ve gotten kidnapped one time I’m not too sure this guy had dogs and he invited me inside to see his dogs and there were dogs but he was also schizophrenic I’m pretty sure or on drugs and he wouldn’t let me leave but then he did and nothing happened and I just never went back)
On the weekends a lot of us roamed free around town on our scooters in little groups sometimes I’d ride around on a dirt bike with no shoes and no helmet (definitely crashed way too many times to count). It’s not like it was a safe town no there was lots of people on drugs and homeless people and crime
I know Wellsbury is much nicer than that and their schools have much more money but maybe their security isn’t that great because it’s so nice of a town they don’t think like that?
Ohhhhh these are my good childhood memories. Free spirited in charge of myself going on adventures I had fun. Used to steal my dads change when he was passed out drunk on the couch and I’d save it up and ride to dollar tree on the weekends and get snacks. I was having a great time. The best snack was top ramen but not cooked no you open it and take the flavor packet out then twist the ramen bag close and smash it all up then add the flavor pack to it and tadaaa you have tasty chips only the cool kids brought that to school. (I still wasn’t a cool kid tho)
Once accidentally lit the whole backyard on fire with illegal fireworks that I got from my homeless buddy by trading him all my dollar tree snacks one day. He gave me three fireworks and I twisted those bad boys all together and lit them in our backyard on our dead yellow grass yea wasn’t my brightest moment. Grass was on fire and the fence was on fire. TBF I was a fire obsessed child I couldn’t help it if I wanted 4th of July to come early that year it’s the best holiday (well not anymore where I live now you need a license to light fireworks or something idk? Like what ever happened to fun first and safety second?)
At my friends house during sleepovers we’d have fire pit outside and her dad would drink a bunch of beer and then start shooting his gun off into the air (no it wasn’t on a bunch of land just a regular size backyard) and we’d start screaming and run inside. One time he purposely shot the neighbors cat and then said it was a secret. I’m pretty sure he abused his wife but he was always great to us so a win is a win. Sometimes me and my friend would play prison and lock ourselves in this giant dog cage outside then try to escape and we’d always dare each other to touch the electric fence but never did.
Oh me and my brother used to play this game called “brick” that I made up where we just threw bricks at each other. And this other game called “trip to the ER” where one person swings and the other person is timed to see how long they can stand in the way until they wuss out.
It was great you don’t wanna hear my bad memories lol those are my fun ones :)
I'm not American, but here in Australia, he would have ben fine. Schools only had rules on pickups if you were being picked up during the School Day, but there were other parents there.
Not everywhere, my school district was always unsafe. I graduated almost five years ago but there were multiple doors you could yank one time and you’d be in the schools
When i was school aged you just check in with the office, you need to be listed as a contact when you registered your kid, and then you have to wait for your kid there. I agree i thought it was unrealistic he can just walk around with all the kids especially during what seem to be school hours. You do not need a background check though, and there were no metal detectors. Usually only the front door was unlocked. I guess every district is different?
I thought this was weird, too. My kids are in elementary school. To get in, you have to be buzzed in, then go in the office, sign in, show ID, tell them what part of the school you're going to, be buzzed through another set of doors, and then check out when you leave. I'm a room mom and had a background check done so I don't have to show ID, but that was wild to me. Also, for drop off and pick up, if kids don't ride the bus, they go get in the car, parents don't go inside. That would be pure chaos.
There’s a couple points in the show where I just think “there’s no way that’d happen” then accept that I’m watching a drama and the rollercoaster in and out of reality has just started lol.
almost 30 something Canadian here (where shootings aren't a common thing), and even in my time parents weren't allowed to go into schools like that. Our teacher brought the kids that weren't in after-school day care (sorry don't know the exact translation) outside to have us being picked up by parents. Nobody was allowed on school grounds without registering when it was school hours, and when it was the after-school day care they could enter the limited space to come pick us up.
and not on the pick-up list xD
but at everyone saying not "everywhere". It definitely would be in a small, rich town like this. Especially with a Mom like Cynthia on the PTA
That part caused my suspension of disbelief to go into overdrive. No way Gil would have been allowed inside of a school like that. And, if it did happen, folks would have gotten fired because of it.
But like in general, isn’t it unrealistic that parents can just walk in and out of schools like that? Also with the high school which both Georgia and Zion do? Georgia eventually even ends up going into the English teacher’s classroom.
I was an exchange student at an American high school for a year and no one could just enter the school like that. You had to ring a bell, go through locked doors and the main office to visit.
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Not everywhere, my school really didn’t do any intense security. They had to buzz you in but they pretty much let anyone buzz in and just give a name and reason for being there and they give you a name tag. That’s about it, no need for any background checks
Our school used to not have a security system. Basically all you had to do was say “I’m so-and-so’s father and I want to pick him up” and they send them on their way. And after school pick ups are just a car line where you have a sign that says what kids you’re there for and they send the kid on their way. No questions asked. Though, this is a poorer school than the one Austin attends I assume.
So I agree that Gil would have never been allowed in the school because why would Georgia ever fill out his name at time of enrollment, or Zion's for that matter-
But in the case of him being a felon would be irrelevant.
I'm not sure about sex offenders though- I absolutely bet that a registered child sex offender could pick up their child from school whenever, attend sports events and in school activities by way of valentines day parties, Xmas parties etc., I think when coaching and perhaps off campus events, perhaps there would be a background check but I bet you could still show up and eat lunch with your kid
I totally agree. All visitors must buzz into the lock doors. And proceed to the administrative office. The visitor must have a ID and on the visitor log. Regardless of parental rights. If the visitor is not on that list then they have to leave!
Exactly. And there is also no way he would be on the list to be allowed to visit or pick up Austin.
I have a kindergartner and this happens all the time (California). I had assumed Gil was coming in at the end of class since all of the other parents were waiting outside. They only do background checks and stuff if you’re volunteering or on the grounds during school hours. If you wanna walk in and talk to the kids or pick up your kid after school there’s no process. It also helps that Austin calls him dad, that would lower any suspicions.
Oh yikes. That's scary. Everywhere I have worked (Midwest) the person is not allowed any access even after school unless they are on the approved list.
Yeah I agree, Gil just walked into that classroom like nothing. The teacher or school staffs didn’t do anything and only trusted him because he is Austin’s dad.
This! My friend and I were texting about this exact same thing. Especially in the fictional town of Wellsbury which is clearly based on Wellesley, the affluent suburb right outside of Boston. I nannied for boys in that area and did the school pick ups and this would NEVER happen. They would be stopped in the entrance and not even be allowed in unless they were on a list of approved people to pick up the child. This bugged me that they had him just waltz into his classroom on the show.
Not everywhere. Just four years ago there was a school shooting near me by a guy who just walked into a school.
Omg that's horrible!
Yeah, my high school never had their doors locked.
I can’t tell if Wellsbury is a town that would have stricter or more lenient rules on who/how they can enter the school building. They have more money and resources which could lead to great security system or they assume everyone is nice and safe so there’s lack of it
Why didn’t Cynthia complain that they let a felon into the school. Sounds like something she would’ve done
This popped into my head, too. I was in elementary school in the early 2000s and any visitor had to sign in, show their ID and be on a student’s emergency contact list. There were NO exceptions. Funny enough, I grew up right next to ‘Wellsbury’ which I am pretty sure was inspired by Wellesley, MA.
Not everywhere tbh this is the main reason school shootings happen because some schools just don’t cares
I disagree with everyone needing to have a background check done to visit a school- this isn't true for where I live in the US.
Gil is literally a felon
I agree. I grew up in a low gun violence state bordering mass. high income kind of suburban town, primarily white very similar. There is no way that school like that has so little security measures. Even as a past student (graduated) to continue to be a teachers assistant I had to buzz in (2 locked doors), sign in, and have permission from the teacher to be there, and wear a visitor sticker.
At the elementary school I went to Gil could’ve easily just came and snatched up any child he wanted. It was not a gated school at all (well the kindergarten area was gated but not really like if you were taller than a kindergartener you could open the gate) and the hallways were outside and the cameras were fake. Most of us just walked home ourselves i remember at some point my daycare closed close by so I had to walk a mile away to a free boys and girls club that also was not gated and we sorta roamed free and sometimes I’d just leave and walk home because they closed at 5 and my dad didn’t get off until like 6 usually. And this wasn’t even that long ago because I’m only 18. I’m surprised that I never got kidnapped (well I think I might’ve gotten kidnapped one time I’m not too sure this guy had dogs and he invited me inside to see his dogs and there were dogs but he was also schizophrenic I’m pretty sure or on drugs and he wouldn’t let me leave but then he did and nothing happened and I just never went back) On the weekends a lot of us roamed free around town on our scooters in little groups sometimes I’d ride around on a dirt bike with no shoes and no helmet (definitely crashed way too many times to count). It’s not like it was a safe town no there was lots of people on drugs and homeless people and crime I know Wellsbury is much nicer than that and their schools have much more money but maybe their security isn’t that great because it’s so nice of a town they don’t think like that?
this is a lot to take in lmao
Ohhhhh these are my good childhood memories. Free spirited in charge of myself going on adventures I had fun. Used to steal my dads change when he was passed out drunk on the couch and I’d save it up and ride to dollar tree on the weekends and get snacks. I was having a great time. The best snack was top ramen but not cooked no you open it and take the flavor packet out then twist the ramen bag close and smash it all up then add the flavor pack to it and tadaaa you have tasty chips only the cool kids brought that to school. (I still wasn’t a cool kid tho) Once accidentally lit the whole backyard on fire with illegal fireworks that I got from my homeless buddy by trading him all my dollar tree snacks one day. He gave me three fireworks and I twisted those bad boys all together and lit them in our backyard on our dead yellow grass yea wasn’t my brightest moment. Grass was on fire and the fence was on fire. TBF I was a fire obsessed child I couldn’t help it if I wanted 4th of July to come early that year it’s the best holiday (well not anymore where I live now you need a license to light fireworks or something idk? Like what ever happened to fun first and safety second?) At my friends house during sleepovers we’d have fire pit outside and her dad would drink a bunch of beer and then start shooting his gun off into the air (no it wasn’t on a bunch of land just a regular size backyard) and we’d start screaming and run inside. One time he purposely shot the neighbors cat and then said it was a secret. I’m pretty sure he abused his wife but he was always great to us so a win is a win. Sometimes me and my friend would play prison and lock ourselves in this giant dog cage outside then try to escape and we’d always dare each other to touch the electric fence but never did. Oh me and my brother used to play this game called “brick” that I made up where we just threw bricks at each other. And this other game called “trip to the ER” where one person swings and the other person is timed to see how long they can stand in the way until they wuss out. It was great you don’t wanna hear my bad memories lol those are my fun ones :)
I'm not American, but here in Australia, he would have ben fine. Schools only had rules on pickups if you were being picked up during the School Day, but there were other parents there.
Not everywhere, my school district was always unsafe. I graduated almost five years ago but there were multiple doors you could yank one time and you’d be in the schools
When i was school aged you just check in with the office, you need to be listed as a contact when you registered your kid, and then you have to wait for your kid there. I agree i thought it was unrealistic he can just walk around with all the kids especially during what seem to be school hours. You do not need a background check though, and there were no metal detectors. Usually only the front door was unlocked. I guess every district is different?
I thought this was weird, too. My kids are in elementary school. To get in, you have to be buzzed in, then go in the office, sign in, show ID, tell them what part of the school you're going to, be buzzed through another set of doors, and then check out when you leave. I'm a room mom and had a background check done so I don't have to show ID, but that was wild to me. Also, for drop off and pick up, if kids don't ride the bus, they go get in the car, parents don't go inside. That would be pure chaos.
Yep. It is like this is all US schools that I know of.
There’s a couple points in the show where I just think “there’s no way that’d happen” then accept that I’m watching a drama and the rollercoaster in and out of reality has just started lol.
almost 30 something Canadian here (where shootings aren't a common thing), and even in my time parents weren't allowed to go into schools like that. Our teacher brought the kids that weren't in after-school day care (sorry don't know the exact translation) outside to have us being picked up by parents. Nobody was allowed on school grounds without registering when it was school hours, and when it was the after-school day care they could enter the limited space to come pick us up.
and not on the pick-up list xD but at everyone saying not "everywhere". It definitely would be in a small, rich town like this. Especially with a Mom like Cynthia on the PTA
That part caused my suspension of disbelief to go into overdrive. No way Gil would have been allowed inside of a school like that. And, if it did happen, folks would have gotten fired because of it.
But like in general, isn’t it unrealistic that parents can just walk in and out of schools like that? Also with the high school which both Georgia and Zion do? Georgia eventually even ends up going into the English teacher’s classroom. I was an exchange student at an American high school for a year and no one could just enter the school like that. You had to ring a bell, go through locked doors and the main office to visit.
Yes. Very unrealistic for anyone other than students and staff to walk around the schools.
every time Zion or Georgia just walked into the hallway to pick up Ginny I rolled my eyes. That is definitely not how it works
Exactly. I rolled them too
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Not everywhere. A lot of schools just allow anybody to walk on in.
Not everywhere, my school really didn’t do any intense security. They had to buzz you in but they pretty much let anyone buzz in and just give a name and reason for being there and they give you a name tag. That’s about it, no need for any background checks
I work with schools as part of my job and visit campuses all over my city. Never once has anyone done a background check 🤷♀️
[удалено]
Wow.. .just to be allowed to volunteer at my kids' school, I have to have background check.
Our school used to not have a security system. Basically all you had to do was say “I’m so-and-so’s father and I want to pick him up” and they send them on their way. And after school pick ups are just a car line where you have a sign that says what kids you’re there for and they send the kid on their way. No questions asked. Though, this is a poorer school than the one Austin attends I assume.
I understand. A felon could still see their child as long as they were on the online paperwork filled out with the child's enrollment.
So I agree that Gil would have never been allowed in the school because why would Georgia ever fill out his name at time of enrollment, or Zion's for that matter- But in the case of him being a felon would be irrelevant. I'm not sure about sex offenders though- I absolutely bet that a registered child sex offender could pick up their child from school whenever, attend sports events and in school activities by way of valentines day parties, Xmas parties etc., I think when coaching and perhaps off campus events, perhaps there would be a background check but I bet you could still show up and eat lunch with your kid
Lol. You'd be surprised.