We hope that we never have to use this safety protocol in our district, but here are a few things that parents/guardians should know to increase their helpfulness and understanding of the protocols in place.
Emergency evacuations due to a gas leak or fire are often more controlled with time for students to follow staff to a safe place away from the school. However, emergency evacuations due to an active threat such as a shooter or violent incident are, at best, organized chaos. These events are unpredictable and often have many, many variables. Our main goal for students and staff is safety and survival. We will inform students of safe rallying points to run to if they are separated from their teacher, but please know that students may end up running to places other than the rallying points. Again, the goal is safety and survival.
Following an incident, we will begin the reunification and accountability steps once we have been given permission by law enforcement. This will take time. Please DO NOT come to the school. This is very dangerous, causes confusion, and increases the response time for police and rescue members. We will send out mass communication via text message, phone calls and emails as soon as we are able. This will also take time.
Things to know:
- The directive to students is to look and listen to their teacher for guidance. Safety is our first priority, so kids will be directed to run if it is possible. This means that kids may be at several locations, which may be choatic, but it means they are SAFE.
- If elementary students get separated or evacuate on their own, they should run to the middle/high school or the Savannah Park shelter. If middle/high school students get separated or evacuate on their own, they should run to the elementary school. Children at any of these places will be accounted for and released to a parent/guardian once the reunification process has started. This will take time. Be patient and know that we will be taking our directions from law enforcement.
- If they run to another safe location such as a home nearby or a business, they should STAY at that location until a parent has been contacted and can pick them up. They should not be released to another adult as this can create confusion in the accountability process.
We know that parents/guardians want to help and want to make sure their child is safe and accounted for. Here’s how you can help us if something should happen:
- DO NOT come to the school. This is very dangerous, causes confusion, and increases the response time for police and rescue members.
- DO NOT call the school. It is very likely that no one will answer, and we need all lines open to communicate with the police and 911 dispatch.
- Check your email often. This is the best way for us to send mass messages. Make sure your current email address is in Skyward at all times. We will do our best to share relevant information in a timely manner, but please know this will be done in coordination with the Dane County Sheriff's Department communications department.
- If you come to a rallying point, please be patient. We will not release students to parents/guardians until we have received permission from law enforcement. This could take several hours. You can be helpful to us by remaining calm, especially in front of small children. If there are opportunities for your assistance, we may ask you to help us. Patience is essential to this process.
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