Security vs. Openness at School

Last night we went to my daughter's school's open house.  We hadn't gotten a chance to see much of her school, because here in Madrid school's are not as open to parent's as they might be in the U.S. For one it's in a closed building where you only have access through the main door and even then you have to get buzzed in.  I like this part because of security issues.  Last year in the U.S. when I had to do a lock-down of my classroom for Code Red I wasn't left feeling that secure about our school.  Anyone could walk in to the school because there were various access into the school and although some parts of the school were fenced in there were several doors and most were open during the school day.  It always made me feel uncomfortable when I had to let my students go to the restroom and they took a little longer than usual.  Although most of these times they were delayed playing and not returning to class.  I just never knew, so I would send a search party for them. So knowing that she is in an environment where no random adult can have access makes me feel more relieved.

But on the other hand not really being able to see the classrooms, cafeteria, library and other rooms, leaves you a feeling of being left out of not being welcomed.  In their version of Open House which was more as a promotion for new parents interested in the school, you don't get to see the student's work.  I think this is the first year they had the open house, so maybe they will eventually make it more like a true Open House.