Crisis Communications
During a crisis situation, district staff will initiate a crisis communications plan to coordinate communications both internally and externally. This plan is NOT the same thing as the Emergency Operations Plan which outlines how emergencies are initially reported and handled.
In all communications during a crisis, the district strives to be transparent, accessible, prompt, compassionate and informative. During a crisis, our values and top priorities do not change:
Lead with respect, trust and courage. Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture. Enable all to achieve success.
A crisis is an unanticipated event or series of events that threaten the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
During a crisis or perceived crisis, a designated team will convene to assess the situation and create a plan of action for communications. This happens while the team simultaneously coordinates with local law enforcement/first responders/SROs (student resource officers), staff and students. Keeping students safe is our first priority. For these reasons, it’s not always possible for the school/district to communicate with parents immediately. However, we will always strive to communicate with parents as quickly as possible – likely in the form of an email.
Administration staff will typically put a building(s) in one of four modes during a crisis or perceived crisis using a mobile application that all staff are required to have on their cell phone called Raptor:
Secure Perimeter/Secure Mode: People inside the building a free to move around, but cannot enter or exit the building. Class schedules usually remain as usual. There’s often increased security at the entrances and exits of the building.
Example use case scenarios: active shooter at a different school district
Shelter in Place: Generally used for weather-related events. People in the building shelter in their current location or a designated location to stay safe and protected.
Example use case scenarios: tornado warning
Evacuation: Everyone vacates the building and waits outside at a distance.
Example use case scenarios: fire, gas leak
Lockdown: All rooms are secured (doors and windows locked) and no one is permitted to enter or exit the building.
Example use case scenarios: active shooter, unidentified intruder, weapon in school
- Keep a close eye on your email and cell phone for updates from your student’s school/the district.
- Stay where you are. During a crisis, we ask that parents do not go to schools to pick up their children unless instructed to do so. When a school is in one of the modes listed above, people are not permitted to exit or enter the building and it’s critical that all students are accounted for at all times.
- Wait for additional instructions.