SAG HARBOR UFSD www.sagharborschools.org
PLAN
What to Do During a School Emergency
Keep roads clear. Do not go to the site unless officials ask you to. Keep phone lines open. Remain calm. Get accurate information and directions. o Check District website for updates— www.sagharborschools.org. o Listen for a phone message (at home, office or on cell). Check email and text messages. o Listen to all messages. Don’t call school to ask what the message is about. o Tune into radio station WLNG 92.1 FM and local TV like News Channel 12. Do not listen to rumors. Do not respond to a child’s request to leave school; tell him or her to remain calm and follow instructions. Be patient. Students will be released to their parents, guardians or emergency contact persons as soon as possible.
Safety is a Priority The Sag Harbor Schools are committed to making schools safe for students and staff. We work closely with national, state, and local safety officials—including police, fire, and emergency medical services and public health—to ensure we are well prepared and that children are protected. We have a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan that makes our staff and our public safety partners respond swiftly should an emergency occur, and we conduct regular training and practice sessions based on that plan.
How to Prepare for a School Emergency 1. Provide accurate contact information to your child’s school, including alternate phone numbers for you and family or friends you have arranged as your backup. Notify the school promptly if this information changes. 2. Carry School Emergency Procedures with you at all times. 3. Talk with your children about the importance of following instructions in an emergency. 4. Tell your children NOT to use cell phones unless permitted. Unauthorized cell phone use could put people at risk.
By definition, an emergency involves unexpected events and rapidly changing conditions. We are trained to deal with different kinds of problems, whether caused by natural forces or humans. However, it is impossible to say in advance exactly how we will respond in any particular case. In general, you should know that we will do what is necessary to protect children first and then inform you as accurately and fully as we can. If a situation is serious enough to require you to leave your home or workplace, we will either ask you to pick your child up or direct you to a safe place where we can brief you on developments. Please be patient and understand if we are unable to respond to you as completely or quickly as you would wish. Our first priority is your child and the other children in the school.
Types of Emergency Management Procedures Lockdown A Lockdown is a security procedure used when we want our students and staff to remain in the building due to imminent danger inside or in close proximity to the school. It is designed to remove students from harm’s way in anticipation of a police response to the scene. During a lockdown, we move all students to predetermined secured area under staff supervision. All students are accounted for and remain sheltered until an “all-clear” is declared.
Lockout A Lockout is used to alert staff and students of a potential danger at or in the vicinity of the school. Students are accounted for and under the close supervision of staff at all times. Classroom instruction continues as usual with exterior security precautions and strategies such as limited outside student activity, not visitors to the school, and cancellations of meetings.
Hold in Place/Stay Put A Hold in Place is a security procedure used during medical emergencies, searches, or other situations when school administrators wish to temporarily limit student movement. Instruction continues as normally as possible, with staff and students remaining in their current locations (classroom, gym, library, etc.) until the “all-clear” is called.
Emergency Sheltering/Shelter in Place Emergency Sheltering is used in the event of natural disasters, weather related issues, terrorist threats, environmental crises or accidental emergencies. Students are moved to pre-determined areas with greater structural integrity or large group instructional areas (gyms, auditoriums, etc.) that offer improved supervision and protection from potential hazards.
Emergency Communications The first order of business during a crisis is to ensure the immediate safety of students and staff. It is very important for parents, guardians and students to remain calm and follow the recommended guidelines in the event of an emergency. This allows school personnel and emergency service providers to work to ensure the personal safety and wellbeing of students and staff. About SchoolMessenger—Sag Harbor UFSD’s Notification Service SchoolMessenger is the communication system the District uses to reinforce our commitment to remain personally connected to parents and guardians by providing notification services for parental outreach and emergency broadcasts. Parents and guardians can receive phone calls, text message alerts and emails about a range of important issues such as upcoming events, cancellations, and student safety. Parents may request that a secondary phone number be added for alerts. Become part of the SchoolMessenger system by filling out the emergency contact form at the beginning of each school year, and being sure to notify the school when you add or change a phone number. If you would like to verify or change the contact information for SchoolMessenger, please contact the secretary in the Main Office at your child’s school. Cell Phones Students are not permitted to use cell phones during emergency situations. Under the recommendation of experts in law enforcement and school safety, we require that all student cell phones be turned off during emergency situations. It is essential that all communication be directed by school personnel to ensure accuracy and avoid confusion. Cell phone use can interfere with the ability of emergency personnel to respond to a situation. Cell phone use can cause secondary emergencies and can overload and therefore disable emergency communication systems. Parent/Child Reunification Parent/Child Reunification is a systematic process used by schools during an emergency to assist schools in effectively and efficiently reuniting students with parents and guardians. Under most emergency situations, parents and guardians are not allowed to enter the school facility until law enforcement agencies declare it is safe to do so. Personal identification will be needed to assist the school in the reunification process. Parents and guardians may designate other adults as having authority to pick up their children in an emergency situation, but this must be done in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions What happens during a lockdown? All school interior doors are locked, hallways are vacated, and students and staff are confined to their classrooms. Building entry or exit is not allowed. If an internal lockdown is necessary, police may be summoned if there is a serious problem or potential problem inside the school.
What happens during a lockout? During a lockout, all exterior doors are locked. This takes place if a problem occurs outside of the school.
How will I know if a school is in lockdown? The main entrance will be locked, and if possible, a sign will be posted on the front door. The emergency phone notification system will be activated as swiftly as possible. A blue light will be illuminated at the entrances of both school buildings. This light alerts the public not to enter the school.
What should I do if there is a lockdown? Do not go to the school. Do not attempt to enter the building. This may jeopardize student and staff safety. We will notify you when it is safe to enter. Try to remain patient and calm until the lockdown order is lifted.
How will I locate my child(ren) if the school is evacuated? Each school has procedures for partial or complete evacuation, including a designated safe location to which students may be transported. You will be directed to go to a specific location where you will be required to sign your child out. Students will only be released to an adult who is documented as an emergency contact person.
Sag Harbor School District 200 Jermain Ave., Sag Harbor, NY 11963 Phone: (631) 725-5300
