Crisis & Emergency Response

This Emergency Communication Plan is a general guide for communicating with parents and caregivers during an emergency. The level of notification and communication channels will vary depending on the type of event and its impact on student safety.

In the event of a major incident at a school, the district will promptly communicate with parents and caregivers about the situation and the next steps as soon as possible. There are times when the situation is dynamic and other agencies are involved. Because communications require coordination with these other agencies, this may cause delays in notification. If school staff are responding to an urgent situation, it is unlikely that school phones will be answered, as their priority will be student and staff safety and resolving the emergency.

Also, as part of our standard response protocols,  during an emergency, the school may be placed in a “Lockdown”, “Shelter In Place,” or “Evacuate”.  In the event of an evacuation, there will likely be an extended period of time, and parents will need to be prepared to wait to reunite with their student until the situation is deemed safe and students can be released. In cases where evacuation is necessary, the district will establish a family reunification site and communicate its location to parents and caregivers.

In the event of a major emergency incident at a school or during a school-sponsored activity, access to the scene will be limited and controlled by police, fire, and/or emergency management officials. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay close to their primary sources of communication, whether by phone or email, to ensure they receive accurate and timely updates on the emergency from the school or district.

When parents and caregivers receive notification that the school emergency has been cleared, they will be provided with directions and reunification details. In some circumstances, parents and caregivers may be directed to a reunification location at another school campus or other location. It is important that parents and caregivers follow these directions for the safety of all students and staff. 

Please be advised that a student can only be released to an adult who is documented as an emergency contact.

If an evacuation occurs during the school day, there may be a multitude of reunification outcomes. If your child contacts you with information about reunification plans, please wait for the school or district’s information and monitor your phone or email closely to ensure you are receiving accurate updates. Student communications can cause confusion and further disrupt safety protocols and procedures.

It is important that if you see something, you say something.

We request that all staff, students, parents, and caregivers remain vigilant and alert our school administration, the Office of Student and Community Services, or local law enforcement about suspicious activity by adopting the "see something, say something" strategy.  

We all have a responsibility to keep our students, staff, and community safe.  Do not assume that someone else will bring a matter to the school's attention.  Remember, if you see or hear or see something, say something.