SCHOOL CLOSURES/LATE STARTS

In the event of fire, power failure, heavy snowfall or severe windstorm, parents/guardians are asked to stay tuned to their radio or television for information. If the school is closed, the decision and announcement will be made prior to 6:30am. When emergency conditions result in school schedule changes, the district will use one of the following plans:

1. NORMAL SCHEDULE: No announcement. Dismissal will be at regular times unless otherwise announced on radio/TV between 11am and 12pm.
2. CLOSED: Schools are closed. All building activities are canceled including school, before and after school activities, athletic events, and parent meetings.
3. LATE START AND LIMITED BUS SERVICES: Elementary schools can start up to two hours late and bus routes can be limited. (Check your transportation booklet regarding limited bus routes or call 425-828-5120). When in effect, Quest and AM Kindergarten classes are canceled.
4. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: If there is a power failure or other emergency conditions, a variation of the above plans will be announced.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY THAT REQUIRES STUDENT PICK-UP

1.      During an emergency, our parent volunteer phone tree will be activated. Callers will use phone numbers provided on the STUDENT EMERGENCY CARDS.

a.       It is extremely important to keep our lines open for district, fire, and police department directives during an emergency. Therefore, we request that you do not call the school office.

        2. Upon arriving at the school, it is important to STAY CALM and follow these directions:

1. CHECK-IN signs will be posted indicating where to pick up your student. DO NOT GO TO YOUR STUDENT’S CLASSROOOM. Students can not be released by teachers.
2. At CHECK-IN, you will be asked to show identification and fill out a release form. Student will NOT be released to you if you are not on the emergency card.
3. From CHECK-IN, you will be directed to the REUNION area. You will be asked again to show identification and sign the release form.
4. Student will be brought to REUNION area and released to you.

EARTHQUAKE EVACUATION PROCEDURES

1. Remain calm.
2. If indoors, take cover using the DROP, COVER, AND HOLD seeking protection under a desk, table or chair with back towards window and head close to knees. One hand should be holding onto the table or chair to prevent movement of the protective cover and the other head over their head. Stay in position until directed.
3. If outdoors, move away from the building. Avoid utility poles and overhead wires. Assume the DROP, COVER, AND HOLD position if possible. Stay in position until ground movement has ceased and recess teachers direct to class evacuation sites.
4. If in the hallway or bathroom, drop immediately with side next to wall (away from windows) and squat on knees close to floor, placing head close to knees, covering head with both arms and close eyes tightly.
5. If in gym, move to wall with supports and no window and assume same position as if in hallway or bathroom.
6. If in lunch room, assume drop, cover and hold positions under lunchroom tables.
7. After quake, follow teacher’s or supervisor’s directions to evacuate building to class’s evacuation site. See below.

 BUILDING EVACUATION PROCEDURE (FIRE/EARTHQUAKE) 

1. Teachers take emergency bag and vest
2. Shut the door in the room when you leave. Evacuate all children to your assigned area where they are to line up in a quiet and orderly manner. If exit is blocked, the teacher select the safest alternative route.
3. Face your students away from the building.
4. Take attendance and account for all children.
5. If it is recess time, children on the playground are to line up by grade level on the soccer field until teachers arrive to direct their own classes.
6. If children are with specialists (PE, music, library), the specialist is responsible for getting all children under their supervision out of the building safely. The children should remain with the specialist. The classroom teacher needs to find the specialist.
7. If children are with special services (ESL, Special Ed, Reading Specialist, Counselor, SLOP, nurse), those instructors need to report to the area coordinator which children they have.
8. Do not return to the building until the long bell rings, if it is a drill. If it is not a drill, staff will begin the procedures to set-up the Incident Command.

LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES

1.     Notification:

a.     When it becomes necessary to secure the building, the office will announce the lockdown over the PA system and give the reason for the lockdown. “Teachers, we are implementing Emergency Lockdown procedures. [Describe the intruder or situation] Please secure the safety of the students in your area.”

2.     Action Plan

a.    Students in hallways will be brought into the nearest classroom. Students outside will be moved quickly into the building.

b.     All doors are locked as soon as hallway is clear.

c.     Take attendance and wait for the office to call for attendance report.

d.     Blinds will be drawn and students will be gathered away from the windows.

e.      No one will leave the room until the office announces it is all clear via the intercom.

 LIGHTENING PROCEDURES 

In the event that students hear/see thunder or lightening, they are to alert the playground supervisors immediately. Playground supervisors will blow whistles and announce to students to report back to their classrooms. Students are to quickly and quietly return to class. Staff will be alerted immediately, and rainy day recess procedures will be implemented.

 RAINY DAY RECESS

In the event of rainy day recess, 5 students from each classroom can go to the covered play area while the rest of the students stay inside. At lunch rainy day recess, 5 students from each classroom can go to the library while the rest of the students go to the covered play area.

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