School Emergency Procedures

School emergency procedures are consistent with Vancouver Board of Education policies and guidelines and are reviewed regularly with staff and with students. Each school year, we conduct 2 Earthquake drills, 6 Fire drills and 2 Lockdown Drills. Classroom Teachers review the procedures with students on a regular basis to ensure they keep themselves safe in case of real emergency. The following terminology and procedures are used and explained when teaching students:

Evacuation Procedures:

• In case of an emergency requiring evacuation such as Fire or Earthquake, staff and students are trained to assemble at the gravel field in the back field. Visitors to the school should also evacuate the school.
• The school has equipment and provisions to adequately care for children until their parents can pick them up. In such an emergency, parents are directed to carefully follow the instructions of staff so we can ensure the proper accounting and safe dismissal of children to their parents or emergency designates.
• In case of a real emergency, we can anticipate that children and parents both will be worried about their family members’ health and safety. The school has specific student release procedures in place to ensure that families are re-united as quickly and safely as possible, and to ensure accountability and tracking of each student’s safe release.
• During an Earthquake, students are asked to follow the following steps before evacuation:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Use if an earthquake or explosion occurs or anytime a building or its materials shake and fall: Drop - get down on the ground/floor Cover - take cover under heavy furniture or millwork Hold On – hold on to the furniture/millwork as the shaking may cause even large items to move about After the shaking stops and possible falling debris settles, wait 60 seconds, then Evacuate the building.

Other Procedures:

Lockdown

Staff and students also rehearse what to do in the unlikely event of a dangerous intruder either on the school grounds or within the school. During a "LOCKDOWN" drill, we lockdown the school: “Lockdown, lockdown, lockdown” is announced over the school PA system in the unlikely event that there is a dangerous intruder in the school. All students gather in their classroom (or closest room), lock the doors, turn off lights and remain quietly with their teacher until they are directed that it is safe to come out.

In the unlikely event of a lockdown situation, we will be turning off and collecting cell phones from students, as using them at such a time poses potential additional risks: we do not want phones to sound at times when quiet is essential. Additionally, texting, tweeting, etc. risks sending out inaccurate information that could hamper police efforts to resolve the incident. Parents are asked not to attempt to contact the school or their children directly.

Hold & Secure

Use if there is a security concern in the neighborhood

Everyone is to come into the school and remain in the school; Exterior doors are secured Exterior windows secured and blinds closed; No one may enter or exit the school

Shelter in Place

Use if an environmental hazard is in the vicinity of school (including coyotes)

Everyone is to come into the school and remain in the school; Exterior doors are secured Exterior windows are closed and secured plus blinds/drapes closed; All ventilation systems may be turned off; Principal will monitor access to the school

Room Clear

Use to move students away from a hazard contained in one room/area

Students directed to go directly to a previously agreed-upon alternate location