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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDELINES UPDATE In our continued effort to respond efficiently and effectively to all types of emergencies or crises, I would like to update you on two procedures that are now a part of our response protocol in the event of an emergency or crisis. The first is called Shelter-In-Place, which is an immediate response to a suspected chemical, biological, or radiological incident. It may also be used in the event of weather-related emergencies. Shelter-In-Place simply means that it will be necessary to immediately secure students and staff indoors. It is an enhanced level of Code Blue. Once Shelter-In-Place is implemented, all exterior doors will be secured and locked. Parents or guardians initially will not be permitted to enter the building to retrieve children until public safety officials have determined that it is safe to do so. The procedure is necessary in order to reduce the risk of exposure to potentially hazardous materials for students, staff, and parents or guardians. The nature and duration of the Shelter-In-Place will be determined by the emergency situation or by public safety officials and/or MCPS officials. The second response procedure that we have included in our emergency/crisis plans is called Parent-Child Reunification. This process also may be implemented as part of a Code Blue and involves the orderly process for the reuniting of parents with their children. All parents should have completed the Emergency Transportation Form which identifies additional people who will be allowed to transport home their children. During the reunification process, should parents be stuck at work or in traffic and want a neighbor to pick up their child, without their prior permission, we will not be able to oblige. DuFief's reunification site will be the primary (kindergarten) hallway just to the right of the office as you enter the front door. This site has been selected because it is near the front main door for parents to enter and is near another door at the end of the hallway for parents and students to exit. Students will be called down to the other end of the primary (kindergarten) hallway by walkie-talkie (DuFief has purchased a walkie-talkie for every teacher), and once parent/adult identification has been checked, the adult and child(ren) can exit the doors by the kindergarten rooms. By having a separate entrance and exit, we will be able to get the children out more quickly. This place will provide an area where parents can enter, proceed with the sign-out process, and wait for their children. Our off-campus reunification site, should a situation require one, will be the parking lot to the left of the school. If we need to evacuate the school, DuFief students will be taken to Quince Orchard High School. During a crisis situation, parents can find emergency information the following ways:
Please update emergency information cards (yellow cards) and Emergency Transportation Forms since these will be used to provide us with information regarding authorization for release of students. Proper identification will be required in order for authorized personnel to pick up children. PLEASE RETURN this form if you have not already done so. (A copy is available here.) The purpose of this form is to give permission to other adults to pick up your children from school if the parents are unable to come to school. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support! Please call me should you have any questions about these procedures. Dorothy Reitz Principal, DuFief ES 301-279-4980 fax-301-279-4983 |
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