In Case of a School Emergency
Although your first reaction may be to call the school or rush to pick your child up, please do not do either.
- DO NOT call or rush to the school.
- Telephone lines and staff are needed to handle emergency actions.
- Driving to the school will block roads and limit access for emergency vehicles.
- DO NOT call or text message your child in school.
- For safety reasons, students and staff are urged not to use telephones.
- Cell towers are needed for emergency and school staff communications.
- Cell towers may become overloaded if several hundred parents and students make calls.
Parent Actions in an Emergency
- Official school announcements and instructions will be delivered by SchoolMessenger and posted on the District website.
- Listen for information regarding parent-child reunification procedures.
- Students will ONLY be released to parents/guardians who are documented emergency contacts and present photo ID such as a driver's license, government issued ID card or a passport.
- A designated area will be assigned so you are able to pick up your child(ren) more efficiently.
- If a legal guardian is not available to pick-up a child, the child will remain at the reunification site under the supervision of school personnel
See www.readypa.org for more information on family preparedness.
How You Can Help
- Ensure that your child's emergency contact information is accurate and current.
- Sign up for parental/guardian alerts in SchoolMessenger.
- Become familiar with the parent reunification portion of your child's school emergency plan.
- If your child has any medical conditions, allergies or requires medications please speak with the school nurse. This information may be critical in an emergency.
Planning + Preparedness = Success
While it is unsettling to think about emergencies happening to our children, frequent review and practice of emergency procedures at home and at school, will help everyone to be prepared.
Throughout the school year, students will be trained in emergency procedures and will be taught how to react, where to assemble and what to expect in an emergency situation.
Formulate your own emergency plans and teach your child(ren) what to do in case of emergencies at home. Provide instructions for what to do and who to go to if you are not available in an emergency.