While world politics and actions are uncertain right now, we are working to keep school as normal and safe as possible-for students, staff, and volunteers. Within that framework of normalcy, staff watches for students who might need extra time to talk about worries or fears. Counselors are available for children or adults who need to talk or ask questions. District administrators stay in close contact with regional emergency response agencies.

Basic School Safety

• Every school has a standard procedure for evacuation and lockdown--each designed to safeguard whoever is in the buildings and/or get them out of the buildings if evacuation is needed.
• Schools rehearse basic emergency plans to make systematic responses “instinctual”.
• Our staff is watchful for strangers or unusual activity on campus, so please be sure to check into the front office when you visit, and wear your visitor or volunteer badges.
• When students are picked up to leave school during the day, we send them home only with adults you authorize. Please make sure the emergency information about your student is up to date.

Red Cross Precautions for Families

• Make and practice family and neighborhood emergency plans.
• Network with neighbors and family to designate meeting locations and communications channels.
• Remember that you may need to show an ID to re-connect with your child following a school emergency. Support staff for emergencies may come from other schools or emergency agencies. Those people may not recognize you as the authorized adult for your child. Their request to see your ID will be in the interest of safety.
• Emergency vehicles need clear roads to reach the schools. Tune in to local media stations and websites before adding another vehicle to the road.
• Pack an emergency kit.  A check list is available at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/fdsk.pdf
• Always check in at the front desk when you visit school.

Helpful Website Resources

A Citizens Guide offering tips on how to prepare for a range of measures for you to make your family, your home, and your community safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds has been prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA http://www.fema.gov

On that site is a checklist families can use to build an emergency supply kit. http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/fdsk.pdf

The Red Cross Homeland Security Advisory System which includes Red Cross recommendations for individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses in the event of an increase in the Homeland Security threat level. It is found at: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/hsas.html

This site also has helpful tips for families about what to prepare for and how to network with neighbors.