As this school year comes to an end, I want to give you a glimpse of something we are working on to begin in the 2014-2015 school year.

As part of Blueprint 2.0, the BCPS Strategic Plan, one of the key actions is to develop and implement a "one-card staff and student identification system" to enhance security. This card will provide photo identification of all students and staff, thereby identifying who belongs in our schools.

An added advantage is that the One-card has other business functions as well. The card will be used for door access by electronic swiping; checking out materials and media from the library or media center; and, for some staff members, the One-card will be used for time-keeping purposes.

When students receive their cards in the fall of 2014, the One-card will show student attendance throughout the day. Our goal in the near future is for students who ride buses to use the One-card to check on and off county school buses.

All staff should have their cards by the last day of this school year, Monday, June 16, 2014. Distribution of cards will be phased-in for students starting in the fall of 2014.

School safety and security will always be a priority for me, and we have made great strides in meeting our goal.

Take care,

Dr. Dance

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