Menu
Emergency Crisis at School - What is expected of parents
When a child is in an emergency, a parent’s first instinct is to get to their child.
“We are all parents here,” said Superintendent Dr. Tim Rayle. “We know how that feels because we feel that way too.”
The problem is if there is an active emergency at any school facility or event, having numerous people show up looking for someone is not conducive for the first responders working the scene.
FIRST STEP - Getting the information right
Rayle and CCS Police Chief Josh Clarke want to be as transparent as possible if such an emergency should occur, but not all of the details will be immediately available.
The situation must be quickly and efficiently assessed to provide accurate details. That might take a few minutes, which in a stressful situation could seem too long for those wanting information - the parents.
“So there’s a lot of collaboration that will go into that process,” said Clarke about collecting the correct information for parents.
“One thing that will be on the high end of what we do will be using the automated messaging service. But to put one of those announcements out, we want to be as accurate as possible with what is happening now.”
THE FIRST AUTOMATED TEXT
Although the automated message will be limited to 160 characters, it should include details about the location and type of emergency and a place and instructions to pick up students if evacuated from the area.
Reunification Centers is the term used in the emergency preparedness planning. Not only will it provide a safe place for the students to return to their parents, but it will also have protocols that ensure the health and well-being of each student.
“Parents will be asked to stay away from the area where the emergency is happening as this will allow first responders to do their job,” said Rayle about the four locations selected to be pickup sites in an emergency. “We have to get the kids on buses and take them there, but it should be calmer there.”
Technology is great, but not when it’s being misused.
Social media outlets should be considered as something other than trustworthy during an emergency.
“So many people on social media want to be the first to report something. The accuracy of information doesn’t seem to matter, but being first is important to them. Which can be a problem for others wanting to know what happened because their child or a family member might be involved,” said Rayle. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen individuals who purposely throw out false information. I would say and emphasize that if it’s not coming directly from the school or law enforcement, ignore social media.”
If a student needs medical care, Rayle said the school would contact the family privately.
The main goal is to get the students out of the way of possible harm to safety and return them to their families.
“The last thing we need is a free-for-all where we lose track of a student,” said Clarke. “God forbid, but that is the last thing we must do.”
Although there is no emergency now, Rayle said he wants to ask parents now for their patience.
“Whatever type of emergency we might experience - from power outages, bad weather, to armed intruders - please remain calm. A parent’s first instinct is to get their child out of danger. Everybody wants their child like now,” said Rayle. “We are asking that the parents pause for a second and react to the information we will give them. We understand they want to get to their child as fast as possible. We are parents too, but we want the parent to be safe and take their child home.”
The Clay Community School Corporation actively maintains many safety measures, programs, and protocols, including technology, training exercises, facility upgrades, and ALICE. ALICE is an active shooting program trains students and school employees. The training features ability-appropriate strategies to empower individuals in crises to make life-saving decisions in the face of extreme danger.