Emergency Guide

Emergency Procedures

Schools prepare throughout the year for emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, hazardous-material incidents, severe weather, and threats in or near the school. In every emergency, the first priorities are to protect students and staff, account for everyone, and provide families with accurate information as quickly as possible.

What Families Should Do During an Emergency

If an emergency affects your child’s school:

• Watch for official messages from your school or the district.

• Do not come to the school unless directed. Roads and entrances must remain clear for emergency responders.

• Unless instructed otherwise, please avoid calling or texting your child during an emergency. Students should remain focused on directions from school staff and emergency responders. Watch for official school or district communications for updates.

• Avoid calling the school office unless absolutely necessary. Staff members will be focused on student safety and the emergency response.

• Wait for reunification instructions. The reunification location may be somewhere other than the school campus.

• Bring a government-issued photo ID if you are directed to pick up your child.

We understand that families will want to reunite with their children immediately. Waiting for official instructions allows emergency responders to reach the school and helps staff keep every student safe and accounted for.

How We Will Communicate With Families

The school and district will send emergency information using the contact information associated with your child’s school records. Depending on the situation, messages may be sent by phone, text, email, or the district’s family communication system.

Emergency messages may include:

• The type of emergency response underway

• Whether students are safe and accounted for

• Instructions for families

• Changes to dismissal or transportation

• The location and procedures for reunification

• Notification when the emergency has ended

Please make sure your telephone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts, and authorized pickup information remain current throughout the school year. Please log into PowerSchool Parent Portal to review or update your contact information. Learn more about the district’s family communication tools.
 

School Emergency Responses

The school may use one or more emergency responses depending on the circumstances. Instructions may change as school officials and emergency responders receive new information.

Evacuation

Students, staff, and visitors leave a building or area that may be unsafe. Everyone is moved to a designated location and accounted for.

Shelter-in-Place

Students and staff move or remain indoors when conditions outside may be unsafe, such as smoke, hazardous materials, severe weather, or police activity in the surrounding neighborhood. Normal indoor activities may continue when appropriate.

Lockdown

Classrooms and buildings are secured because of a potential threat on or near campus. Students remain with staff, stay quiet, and follow all safety instructions until law enforcement or school officials determine that it is safe to resume normal activities.

Run, Hide, Defend

In a life-threatening situation, students and staff follow age-appropriate, district-approved procedures based on the location and nature of the threat. School employees and emergency responders direct the response whenever possible.

Reunification

When normal dismissal is not possible, students may be moved to a designated reunification location. Families will receive instructions explaining where and when students may be picked up.
 

Family Reunification

Reunification must be carefully managed so that every student remains safe and accounted for.

If reunification is necessary:

• Wait until you receive an official message with the location and instructions.

• Do not go to the school unless it is identified as the reunification site.

• Bring a government-issued photo ID.

• Follow posted signs and staff directions.

• Be prepared to show identification before your child is released.

• Students will be released only to adults listed as authorized emergency contacts.

• Do not send someone who is not listed in your child’s records.

• Expect the process to take time. Staff must verify identification and document the release of every student.
   

How Families Can Prepare

Families can help the school prepare before an emergency occurs.

• Keep all contact and authorized-pickup information current in PowerSchool.

• Make sure your child has several trusted adult emergency contacts.

• Create and practice a family emergency plan.

• Decide who will care for your child if you cannot be reached.

• Talk with your child about following staff directions during drills and emergencies.

• Discuss what your child should do if an emergency occurs while walking to or from school.

• If your child takes medication at school, work with the school health office to maintain an appropriate emergency supply.

• Save the school and district telephone numbers in your contacts.
   

Emergencies We Prepare For

Students and staff practice age-appropriate procedures for emergencies that may include:

• Earthquakes

• Fires

• Hazardous-material incidents

• Severe weather or unsafe air conditions

• Police activity near the school

• Missing students

• Intruders or weapons

• Bomb threats

• Medical emergencies

• Other situations requiring evacuation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, or reunification

The response to any emergency will depend on its location, severity, and the guidance of emergency responders.