If there is an emergency at your child’s school, please help us by doing the following things:

Check the WCSD homepage, the WCSD Facebook page, and/or the specific school pages. We will provide credible, accurate, and useful information to the public as soon as possible. Expect to see our posts updated as necessary. We will also provide updates to local media, but be aware that emergency situations can change rapidly. Information received from sources other than the school administrator or WCSD communications office may be inaccurate. In addition, we will use our phone and text notification system to contact parents and guardians with updates and information in as timely a manner as possible. Please make sure your emergency contact information is always up to date at your child's school. To update your contact information, please contact your child(ren)'s school.

Do not call or go to the school. In an emergency, onsite staff is focused solely on getting everyone to a safe location. Showing up to the site can create unnecessary traffic, prevent emergency vehicles from responding quickly, and may also put you in danger. Regarding the phones, we understand and respect your concern, but it is essential that the telephone system be available for emergency communications.

If you get a call or text from your student, help him or her remain calm. Remind your student that the school staff knows what to do in an emergency situation, and will work to keep everyone safe.

In the event of an emergency evacuation, each building has been assigned a reunification site depending on the situation. Parents will be informed of the site in a communication from the District.

Circumstances may occur at the school that require parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. This process is called Reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazmat or if a crisis occurs at the school. The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved.

Because a reunification is not a typical end of school day event, a reunification may occur at a different location than the school a student attends. If this location is another school, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well.

NOTIFICATION

Parents may be notified in several ways. The school or district may use its broadcast phone or text message system. In some cases, students may be asked to send a text message to their parents. A reunification text message from a student may look something like this: “The school has closed, please pick me up at 3:25 at the main entrance. Bring your ID.”

PARENT/GUARDIAN EXPECTATIONS

If a parent or guardian is notified that reunification is needed, there are some expectations that parents or guardians should be aware of. First, bring identification. That will streamline things during reunification. Second, be patient. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian.

WHAT IF A PARENT CAN’T PICK UP THEIR STUDENT?

When a parent can’t immediately go to the reunification site, students will only be released to individuals previously identified as a student’s emergency contact. Otherwise, the school will hold students until parents can pick up their student.

WHAT IF THE STUDENT DROVE TO SCHOOL?

There may be instances where a student may not be allowed to remove a vehicle from the parking lot. In this case, parents are advised to recover the student. In some circumstances, high school students may be released on their own.

HOW IT WORKS

For students, the school asks that students be orderly and quiet while waiting. Students may be asked to text a message to their parents or guardians. Students are also asked not to send other text messages either in or out of the school or reunification area. Keeping cellular network usage at a minimum may be important during reunification.

REUNIFICATION CARDS

For parents, there are a couple of steps. If a parent is driving to school, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents should park where indicated and not abandon vehicles. Parents are asked to go to the Reunification “Check In” area and form lines based on the first letter of their student’s last name. While in line, parents are asked to fill out a reunification card. This card is perforated and will be separated during the process. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and separated bottom of the card. Parents are asked to complete all parts of the card.

In the case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card for each student needs to be completed.

BRING ID TO CHECK IN

During check-in, identification and custody rights are confirmed. The card is separated, and the bottom half given back to the parent.

From the “Check In” area parents are directed to the “Reunification” area. There, a runner will take the bottom half of the card and take it to the Student Assembly Area to recover the student or students.

Parents should be aware that in some cases, they may be invited into the building for further information.

INTERVIEWS AND COUNSELING

In some cases, parents may be advised that a law enforcement investigation is underway and may be advised that interviews are necessary. In extreme cases, parents may be pulled aside for emergency or medical information.

F.A.Q.s

How does the district handle threats of violence?

School staff follow practiced procedures to ensure that students and the public are safe and secure. The principal and his/her team first contact emergency services and then district administrators who initiate a team to gather information on the type and degree of threat. School office staff have been trained to react to all threats of violence in a prescribed manner, based on consultation with law enforcement. All threats are treated as real, and we report them to local, regional, and national law enforcement as appropriate for investigation and prosecution. If a threat is deemed credible, students and staff will evacuate the building and go to a pre-determined safe location. Families will be notified via phone, text or email as soon as students have reached a safe location. Evacuation does not necessarily mean that school is over for the day. The District can arrange for buses to keep students safe and warm in the event of poor weather. Notification regarding school being released for the day will ONLY come from the District Central Office and will include the reason for the release and pickup instructions.

What do I do if I see or hear of a threat after school hours?

All WCSD staff and members of the community are encouraged to report anything they see, hear, or are made aware of if it may impact a school or school program. If you see or hear something, say something: call 911 or report the incident through the Safe 2 Say platform. If required, District staff will determine the course of action and next steps in order to maintain a safe and secure school environment.