School Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

The world is a potentially more dangerous place for our children than in the past. One of the school district’s responsibilities is to provide for the safety and well being of our students through planning, practice drills and education. In addition, during the school year children spend about a third of every school day in school. As a result, New York State passed the Schools Against Violence Act (Project SAVE) that mandated NYS public schools to develop safety and security procedures, crisis management plans and emergency response protocols. Plans have been developed and put into place in accordance with Project SAVE regulations. The following information is offered to increase your understanding of the security measures being instituted at Garden Street School and expectations for your response to help us provide the safest possible school environment.

Please read this newsletter carefully. Keep it in an accessible place. Complete the Family Reunification Plan section and discuss it with family members. Let the people that you have designated as emergency back-ups know your family plan. As always, your child’s safety is our greatest concern. Should you have any questions, please contact us.

Standardized Security Procedures

Ø We use a Single Point of Entry System

§ All doors locked at the beginning of school.

§ A single staff monitored entrance (front door) will be used for visitors.

§ Exterior doors checked throughout the day by school personnel to insure they are closed and locked.

Ø Staff wear visible identification during the school day.

Ø Empty rooms are kept locked during the day.

Ø Facilities housing emergency shut-offs are labeled, inspected frequently, and locked.

Standardized Visitor Protocols

It is essential that all visitors sign-in at the front entrance when entering the school during the school day. All visitors need to be accounted for during the school day.

Ø All visitors are required to sign-in at the front entrance.

Ø You may be asked to show picture ID when you sign in.

Ø You will be asked to let us know who you are visiting at Garden Street.

Ø You will be asked to wear a visible Visitor’s ID Badge.

Ø You may be asked to wait for an escort and limit your movements to designated areas.

Ø You are required to sign-out upon departing.

Standardized Student Sign Out Procedures

What are our sign-out procedures?

Type A – Regular Sign Out Procedure.

Ø A request to sign out a student is made at the office.

Ø An ID is checked if the parent or designee is not known.

Ø A person picking up a child, other than the parent, must be on the Emergency Card.

Ø They will be required to show a picture ID.

Ø Student will be sent to office to meet with parent or designee for departure.

Type B – High Volume Sign Out Procedure (Complex emergency situations!)

Ø In a Type B Procedure an alternative site in the building will be used for sign out requests. (Follow the direction of school personnel.)

Ø Parent or designee ID will be checked in all cases.

Ø Students will be sent to the alternative site to meet parents/guardians for departure.

Ø Students not picked up will be housed and supervised until a parent or designee arrives.

Type C – Off-Site Sign Out Procedure (When the school has been evacuated.)

Ø The Off-site Center (St. Lawrence School or other designated location) will be used to reunite students with parents or assigned designees.

Ø Parent or designee ID will be checked in all cases.

Ø Students will be released to their parents or designees.

Ø Students not picked up will be housed/supervised until a parent/designee arrives.

Emergency Response Procedures

Lockdown

Lockdown is the security procedure used when students and staff are in immediate danger. It requires immediate police response to the building and includes:

Ø removing all students and staff to designated secured areas;

Ø locking doors, turning off lights;

Ø taking attendance;

Ø remaining quiet until an all clear is sounded.

The lockdown is primarily designed to take all people out of harms way in anticipation of a police response to the scene.

Lockout

Lockout is a security procedure used when there is a potential danger against an individual at school or when a danger exists in the vicinity of the school. It requires an immediate police response and includes consideration of the following actions.

· Limited vehicle access • Increased supervision at arrival and dismissal

· Police presence • No outside recess or PE

· Exterior doors locked/monitored • Shades pulled and windows covered

· Monitored single point of entry • Limited and controlled visitations

· Controlled & monitored deliveries • Extra-curricular activities postponed

· Building security 24/7

Desired Parent Response: Remain at home to receive updated information. This will be communicated through radio, cable TV, e-mail, automated phone systems or phone chain. The school is functioning in a normal fashion except for outside activity. Staff is on high alert and police are present to offer protection and direction. Parents coming to the school will complicate the response by school staff and emergency providers.

Sheltering

Sheltering is a security procedure used in response to natural disasters, weather-related, environmental, or accident-related emergencies. Variations include:

Ø In-class “duck and cover” procedures in response to surprise weather-related events.

Ø Evacuation to designated interior sites with structural integrity (Interior hallways/rooms)

Ø Extended time sheltering will be in areas of the building where basic services are available. (Cafeterias for food, gyms for sleep and recreation.)

Evacuation

Evacuation is when you remove students and staff from harms way, and away from the school building. Types of evacuation include: walking or taking a bus.

Ø Fire drill alarm sounds and teacher follows fire drill procedures

Ø Students walk away from the building to the nearest street (Garden, Oak, Prospect) or students board a bus and are taken away from school to a designated location.

Desired Parent Response: Wait until the emergency has passed, listen for information about evacuation procedures, and follow directions of the emergency management personnel or school district personnel. This information will be communicated through radio, cable TV, e-mail, automated phone systems or phone chain.

Preparing for the Unexpected

What can a parent do to prepare their children for the unexpected?

The American Red Cross recommends all families institute the following emergency procedures!

Create an Emergency Communication Plan to include an out-of-town relative or friend who family members can call into to share information in the event of a disaster. Make sure all family members know the number or have it in their possession if needed
Establish a meeting place that people can get to quickly in times of emergency.
Assemble a disaster kit. Items should be placed in an easy to carry duffel bag or plastic container and have the following items:

first aid supplies a change of clothing

prescription drugs a sleeping bag or bed roll

flashlight a battery powered radio

extra batteries water, food etc.

bottled water tools

money copies of important papers

Check on or familiarize yourself about your school’s emergency response plan. Ask about our authorization protocols, communication, evacuation sites, sheltering, lockdown and lockout procedures during emergency response situations.
Talk with your child about potential emergency situations both at home, in school or in the community. Include children in the formation of family plans and drills. Emphasize the importance of cooperating in effective drill procedures at home and in school.
Other ways of preparing include taking Red Cross training in first aid, CPR, emergency and response; donating blood; volunteering to work in a shelter.

What should I know if disaster strikes?

Remain calm and be patient.
Follow the advice and direction of local emergency officials.
Listen to local radio and television for news and instructions.
If a disaster occurs near you, check for injuries and give/get first aid for injured people.
If disaster occurs in or near your home use a flashlight to check for damage. Do not use matches or open flames or electrical switches. Sniff for gas leaks. If you smell gas, turn off the main gas valve, open the windows and evacuate the building.
Shut off any damaged utilities.
Call your family contact to alert them of the disaster and other pertinent information.
Do not use the phone again unless there is a life-threatening situation.
Check neighbors, especially those who live alone, are elderly, or disabled.
Don’t count on police, medical, and emergency response personnel immediately following a major disaster. Services will be strained and personnel overwhelmed.
Travel will be difficult and may be limited to secondary roads. Have an evacuation plan.
Extensive media coverage, strong public fear, and limited resources may be prolonged.
Cleanup and a return to normalcy may take months.
Your family will need to be patient and resourceful. Plan ahead!

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Family Reunification Plan

In the event of a disaster, it is necessary for a family to reunite as soon as possible. Please complete the following Family Disaster Plan information, review it with your family members and designated back-up volunteers, make copies for your family members and volunteers, and train them to keep the form in an accessible location. Meeting Place 2 is in case you can’t return home. The Family Contact is necessary because local communication is often impossible in a disaster area. It may be easier to reach a family member out of state to communicate essential information.

Family Disaster Plan

Emergency Meeting Place 1 _______________________________________________

Outside your home (in case of fire)

Emergency Meeting Place 2 __________________________Phone_______________

Outside your neighborhood

Address_______________________________________________________________

Community Shelter Site __________________________________________________

Family Contact _________________________________________________________

Person in another state

Phone ( ) ______________________ Phone ( ) _____________________

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