Damascus Elementary
School Emergency /Crisis Plan Parent Information
Your children
are our number one priority. We strive to keep all of our students safe
throughout the school day, from the moment they board the bus until they
exit the school bus at the end of the day. MCPS has worked hard to put
processes in place for a number of different emergencies and these are
practiced at every school regularly to ensure that any emergency is handled
as smoothly as possible. This page is designed to explain your role as well
as the various procedures used by our school. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Emergency Contact
Information
It is
imperative that we be able to contact all parents during the school day in
the event of an emergency or particular situation with your child. The
Yellow Emergency Contact Form was sent home the first week of school for all
parents to update and return to school. It is helpful to include home, work
and cell phones for each parent/guardian.
In addition,
all families were asked to complete a Parent Child Reunification Plan Form.
This form lists family members (other than custodial parents) or friends
(over the age of 18) who are permitted to pick up your child(ren) in the
event of a school, local or regional emergency. If this form is not filled
out and returned to school, the only person who is permitted to pick up your
child(ren) is the custodial parent(s). We cannot accept phone calls
authorizing permission, we must have this form on file. If you completed it
last year and did not submit a new one for this school year, we will use the
old version. If you ever want to change who has authority to pick up your
child(ren), stop by the main office and you can review your form and make
necessary changes. Proper identification will be required by all
non-custodial parents who come to pick up children.
Fire Drills, Code
Blue and Code Red Procedures
Fire Drills are
conducted at least once per month during the school year. The first two,
conducted during the first 30 days of school, are announced to the whole
school. After these two announced drills, the students are not always
notified of a drill. We want them to treat every drill as though it were
the real thing so they are fully prepared in the event of a true emergency.
Students are instructed to be silent, walk to the nearest exit and wait with
the class while attendance is taken. If they are in an unsupervised area,
students need to exit the building via the closest exit and notify the
closest adult so that our attendance will be complete.
Code Blue is a
status used to describe a situation in which there is a danger in the larger
community. The outside doors are locked and teachers are to close all
window shades to the outside. Typically, instruction continues and student
movement around the building is closely monitored. Parents and visitors
needing to enter the building during a Code Blue will be asked to show
identification and state the purpose for the visit. A Code Blue can be
activated by the principal of the school, local authorities such as the
police or fire department or by the Superintendent (or his designee) of
MCPS. When it has been determined by the authorities that the danger to our
school no longer exists, the Code Blue will be cancelled and the front doors
will be unlocked. Parents will be notified, via a letter, that a Code Blue
was activated and more information will be given.
Code Red is a
status used to describe a situation in which the danger is imminent or
within the school building. The doors to each classroom are locked,
teachers close all window shades both to the inside hallways and to the
outside and all instruction ceases. Children are to be silent in their
classrooms.Attendance is taken by the teacher to ensure all students are
accounted for. Parents and visitors will not be permitted in the building
during a Code Red. A Code Red can be activated by the principal of the
school, local authorities such as the police or fire department or by the
Superintendent (or his designee) of MCPS. When it has been determined by the
authorities that the danger to our school no longer exists, the Code Red
will be cancelled and the front doors will be unlocked. Parents will be
notified, via a letter, that a Code Red was activated and more information
will be given.
If either of
these situations extend beyond the regular school day or prevent buses from
bringing the students home, the Parent Child Reunification Plan will be
activated. This plan is designed to reunite parents/guardians with their
child(ren) in a timely and organized fashion. Parents will pick up children
using the Gym entrance to the school. Upon entering, parents will be asked
for ID and will wait in the hall while a staff member retrieves the children
and brings them to the parents. No parents will be permitted beyond the
sign-out counter to ensure the safety of all. Parent volunteers are trained
to assist us in this process and put parents at ease.
Evacuation Information
In
the event that it is necessary to evacuate the school building and not return
for a significant time period, the following locations have been identified:
On-Campus Evacuation Location: Flagpole
(Alternate) Weis
Parking lot – right side
Off-Campus Evacuation Location: Damascus High School
25921 Ridge Road
(301) 253-7030
(Alternate) Damascus American Legion
10201 Lewis Dr.
(301) 253-0769
Although we hope that there is never a
situation that warrants using any of these procedures, we are prepared to handle
an emergency situation and ensure the safety of your children.