If you’ve visited one of our schools lately, you’ve probably already scanned your driver’s license at our front desk or used the call box to drop off a forgotten lunch. Those practices aren’t new. The difference now is that Utah’s updated school-safety rule makes them mandatory, as per House Bill 40 (2025) – School Safety Amendments.
House Bill 40 (2025) – School Safety Amendments
The law also requires that classroom doors be kept locked when students are inside, though teachers may still leave them propped open. In short, we’re taking our state laws and implementing new policies to keep kids safe and secure!
What to expect
Bring a form of identification every time
All visitors must show a government-issued ID when checking in. Our visitor management system scans your ID, prints a badge and records your reason for visiting. The process takes less than a minute. If you forget your ID, state law requires us to ask you to retrieve it before we can let you in.
Dropping off objects or items
Suppose it’s your child’s birthday and you want to bring cupcakes for the class. Under the new rules, you’ll press the call button in the vestibule and let our receptionist know you’re delivering treats. A staff member will meet you at the door and take your treats to the classroom.
If you want to come inside and celebrate, you’ll need to inform the receptionist that you’d like to enter the building. Our receptionist will help you complete the ID check, and they’ll print out a visitor’s badge for you. Either way, you’ll be welcomed—it might just take a few extra minutes.
Scheduling visits and volunteering
Thinking about volunteering within the classroom? Remember that all volunteer opportunities are pre-approved when needed by the teacher or the school. A managed point of entry means that we cannot always accommodate unscheduled visitors, so please check in with your student’s teachers and school about volunteering opportunities.
Because each school must maintain a managed point of entry, we’re asking parents to arrange classroom visits (in situations like birthday celebrations) at least a day in advance. Contact your child’s teacher or the office to schedule a time. This helps us plan for your arrival and minimizes wait times.
That does not mean you cannot visit your child; as mentioned above, you can visit any time, so long as you complete the ID check and wear a badge. We want you in our schools, and need your collaboration – and now we need your help following state law to do so with this one short, extra procedure.
Arrive early for pick-ups
Check-outs will take longer due to new procedures requiring a sign-out slip and signature, so arrive 5–10 minutes early to allow time for the ID scan and sign-out process. And, if you are arriving near the end of the school day to check students out, expect that the check-out process may take up to 15–20 minutes.
Locked doors, open classrooms
Classrooms are required to remain locked while students are present. Teachers may leave doors open on hinges, but the locks must be engaged so they can quickly secure the room if needed. Students simply need to knock when returning from the restroom or office—something many teachers have already taught them to do.
While these legal requirements add a few minutes to your visit, they help ensure that we know who is in our buildings at all times and that classrooms can be secured quickly.
Exterior Entrances and Breakfast Cafeteria Entrances
At elementary schools, all exterior doors will lock twenty minutes before school starts. At secondary schools, all exterior doors will lock no later than ten minutes after school starts. Schools will leave an entrance to the cafeteria open for breakfast. Your school’s principal will communicate how breakfast will operate at your school.
How you can help your child
Talk with your child about these procedures. Remind them that they should always let their teacher know when they leave the room, and that if the door is locked they can knock and wait for the teacher to let them in. If they feel anxious about locked classroom doors, reassure them that the goal is to keep everyone safe, not to lock students out.
Encourage them to be patient if you arrive early for pick-up, or if you need to stop at the office for a badge.
We know that our schools thrive when parents are involved. We still want you to volunteer, visit classrooms and participate in celebrations. There’s simply an extra layer of vetting required by state law.
To learn more, please watch the Visitor Management System video (available on our website) and read the text of the state rule. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our schools safe and welcoming!
Communication Specialist
Spencer Tuinei
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