South Orangetown Central School District
Parent / Community Guide to
EMERGENCY CODES and PROCEDURES
2014-2015
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Harry LeFevre, Interim Superintendent of Schools 160 Van Wyck Road Blauvelt, New York 10913-1299 Phone: 845-680-1050 Fax: 845-680-1900 Website: www.socsd.org “We are cautious, pro-active and always improving our emergency plans.”
Harry LeFevre, Interim Superintendent of Schools
The single most critical, and the truest test of emergency preparedness in any crisis situation is a thorough understanding and familiarization with emergen- cy codes , procedures and expectations in the face of any crisis situation school-wide, countywide, or district-wide. Our policy of consistent drills and testing of designated plans, places and personnel are critical to the successful outcome of any unforeseen situation.
It is therefore the request of the SOCSD that parents and community members familiarize themselves with this brochure. In this way you too will become familiar with the mandated codes and procedures that dictate our policy and activities in any situation in which students are at risk
…………………………………………………………………………………………….. HOW DOES THE SOUTH ORANGETOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ENSURE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS?
We work closely with our emergency responders regarding all new and existing emergency procedures. Regional Superintendents continually meet to exchange, discuss, and update emergency procedures. The BOCES emergency team keeps us informed of new technologies and training procedures. Each of our schools retains an “Emergency Plan” in a formal handbook as well as Food Defense and Pandemic Health Plan Procedures. We have a Student Resource Officer (SRO) at TZHS who interacts with students, conducts workshops and is a uniformed presence in the building during any emergency.
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DISTRICT SECURITY PROTOCOLS
Contracted security personnel provide security every day at each of our buildings and at all events. Buildings are locked 24/7 and alarmed evenings and weekends. All visitors are required to provide security with a photo ID, sign-in, and wear visitor ID badges while in any SOCSD building. All staff members wear photo ID badges. All district facilities are continuously monitored by closed circuit TV. The Codes
In any National or County-wide emergency, we take directives from the County Executive.
Local emergencies may be communicated via our own emergency notifi-
cation system.
We strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with the following codes:
Lockdown
To be used when there is a specific internal or external threat to one of our schools. Police and other emergency personnel may be present on the school grounds.
When the school is “locked down”: Blinds are drawn and children are kept inside their classroom with windows and doors shut. Outside doors are locked. No one is allowed entry onto or exit from the school premises or into the building until we have received clearance from the police to re-enter the building.
Lockout
To be used when there is an anticipated external threat to one of our schools. Police and other emergency personnel will be present on the school grounds and on high alert.
After the school receives police clearance, parents may pick-up their children. If your child has been given permission to leave with another adult, that adult will need to present a photo ID to enter the building.
Evacuation
To be used when there is any emergency situation that warrants evacuation of stu- dents and staff from a specific building, i.e. fire, etc. Depending on the nature of the emergency, students will either remain outside or will move to a pre-determined “shelter” near their school. After the evacuation period is over, students will return to their schools, or parents will be advised where they can be picked up.
Shelter In Place
If a dangerous substance is released in the community posing a threat to students during the school day, schools would be directed by public health or safety officials to bring all students and staff members into predetermined areas. All heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems would be shut down, and all doors and windows would be closed and secured. To maintain that secure environment, no one will be permit- ted enter or leave the building until authorities give the all-clear. Parents are encour- aged to remain in a safe place until the all-clear is given at which time they may pick up their children at the school or await their normal dismissal routine.
Reunification
During an emergency at any of our schools, a staging area will be set up at the Sons of Italy Lodge, 46 Van Wyck Road, Blauvelt, New York, for parents to gather. Up to the minute information will be disseminated as it is issued. As soon as clearance is re- ceived from the police, parents can either pick up their children at the school or await their normal dismissal routine. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP US HELP YOU:
Update ALL emergency cards. Keep your emergency contact numbers current with: - your school and teachers, including the on-line database - your family members - your friends
Hold a family meeting and discuss the “what if’s”. Make sure your children understand your family’s emergency plan. Share this plan with your neighbors, friends, and family. When visiting our schools, please abide by our sign-in policy. Provide a picture ID, and wear the visitor’s pass issued to you at all times when in the building. Do not park in the fire lanes at our schools. The curbs of these “no parking” areas are painted bright yellow. In a school emergency, refrain from coming to the school. The roads and schools must be kept clear for emergency workers. Register today for a free emergency e-mail notification at www.socsd.org. In an emergency, check our website: www.socsd.org
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Monitor the following radio and TV stations:
Radio: WCBS-880 AM, WOR-710 AM, WFAS–103.9 FM & 1230 AM, WLNA-1420 AM, WHUD-100.7 FM, WBNR–1260 AM, WRCR-1300 AM, WVNJ-1160 AM.
Television: WCBS Channel 2, WNBC Channel 4, FOX Channel 5, WABC Channel 7, News12
Our School Messenger Emergency Phone Message System will be uti- lized for telephone notification of any emergency alert situation in the district. IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOUR PHONE CONTACT INFORMATION BE KEPT UP TO DATE AND THAT YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF ANY CHANGE OR ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION ON FILE.