How Are Your Schools Prepared?

This Information is Very Important

Check Emergency Policies for your individual SCHOOL.
You can use the following checklist and tips to help in your inquiry.

  1)  Does your classroom have an emergency kit in a garbage can or tote readily available?

Many schools have classroom emergency supplies but not always in the classroom, some schools keep them together in a different part of the building!

  2)  Is there a First Aid Kit in the classroom (more than just band aids)?

Many schools have a basic back pack for Emergencies in the classroom.  Usually they have a very basic First Aid Kit, Whistle, Flashlight, Card Games, a Snack, and a Class List.  In my experience these packs are not always kept updated.

  3)  If your child has a food allergy does the teacher have Emergency Snacks that your child can eat?

Many schools only have Peanut butter, Saltine Crackers, and a Canned Fruit for a School Emergency... and usually it is not enough for 3-7 days. 

  4)  Is there a private area for an Emergency Restroom (readily available), if the water is not available? 

Some schools have emergency portable buckets with a seat for the kids to use. Some Classes may even have a curtain they can set up for privacy.

  5)  Is there bottled drinking water (enough for the class) readily available?

Like the Food and Safety Supplies, bottled water may be staged in a different place other than the classroom.

  6)  Where do your children go in or outside the school building if there is an earthquake or other disaster?

Some schools move the children to a safe part of the building, others take them outside.  Knowing what your individual schools policies and procedures are will help you get to your children faster, plus give you piece of mind that they will be safe, when the time is needed.

  7)  Is there another place other than the school building for pick up, if the school is damaged?  What happens to my child if I cannot get to the school to pick them up!

Depending on the damage to the building, the school will stick to their pickup procedures.  But if they have to move the children they are usually bused to another school for pick up.  (You should always make sure that the school has your correct contact information.)  Most school will not let teachers leave until all the children are accounted for and released to a parent or secondary assigned pick up person.

  8)  What kind of things will cause a school lockdown?

Lockdowns can happen for many reasons.  Most often a lockdown happen when there is police activity in the area of the school.

  9)  What happens during a lockdown?

Depending on the schools policies, most schools lock the main entrances to the building.  Each class room door is also locked until the “All Clear” is called.

10)  Will I know if my child’s school has had a lockdown or there  was activity at the schools?

Most schools send a letter home with your child the day of a lockdown or other activity.  Many have a mass auto call that calls every home to let them know that something has or had happened that day.  Some may not send anything or call.  You may hear of activity from your child before the school.