Spencer Van Etten District Wide - svecsd.org Safety Plan for Public Comments.pdf · • Call 911 to activate the emergency law enforcement, fire, and medicalresponse systems • The

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Spencer-Van Etten Central School District Together We Achieve…

Excellence Beyond Expectations

Spencer-Van Etten District Wide School Safety Plan

This plan has been developed in compliance with

Education Law Section 280 I-a and Commissioner's Regulation Section 155.17

First Revision 10/03 Second Revision 05/06 Third Revision 12/09 Fourth Revision 12/11 Fifth Revision 8/15

Sixth Revision 10/16

Seventh Revision 8/17

Eighth

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Eighth Revision 8/18

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Table of Contents

TOPIC PAGE #

INTRODUCTION 3

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PLANNING GUIDELINES 3

PREVENTION STRATEGIES 5

Early Detection of Potentially Violent Behaviors 5

Assistance during Emergencies 6

Identification of District Resources 8

• Procedures to Coordinate Use of School District Resources 8

School Building Safety 9

• Visitors/Intruders 9 Annual Multi-Hazard School Safety Training 10

Test Components of the Emergency Response Plan 10

Plans for Response to Specific Emergencies 11

• School Cancellation 11

• Early Dismissal 11

• Evacuation/Alternate Shelter Plan 12

• Evening and Weekend Emergencies 12

INTERVENTION STRATEGIES 13

Acts of Violence 14

Fight, Assault or Rape 14

Suicidal Threats 15

Responses to Emergencies 15

• Bomb Threats 15

• Civil Unrest – Riot 20

• Procedure of Orders of Protection 21

• Weapons 21

• Hostage Taking, Armed Person 22

• Child Abduction from Bus Loading/Unloading Area and/or Stop 22

• Child Abduction/Unauthorized Visitor on School Premises 23

• Child Abduction from Classroom 23

• Kidnapping/Hostage 23

Situational Emergency Responses 24

• Anthrax 24

• Building Collapse 26

• Bus Accident Procedures 26

• Earthquake 27

• Explosion 28

• Falling Object 28

• Fire Alarm 28

• Flooding 28

• Gas Leak 29

• Hazardous Materials Exposure 29

• Medical Emergency Situation 30

• Storms 31

• Tornadoes 32

• Utility Failure 32

Improving Communication with Students 33

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Personnel Acting in School Security Capacity 33

Informing all Educational Agencies 34

Information about District 34

RECOVERY PHASE 34

• Phase I 34

• Phase II 35

• Lost Incident Stress Reactions 37

Emergencies and violent incidents in school districts are critical issues that must be

addressed in an expeditious and effective manner. Districts are required to develop a District- wide School Safety Plan designed to prevent or minimize the effects of serious violent incidents

and emergencies and to facilitate the coordination of the district with local and county resources

in the event of such incidents or emergencies.

The district-wide plan is responsive to the needs of all schools within the district and is

consistent with the more detailed emergency response plans required at the school building level.

Districts are at risk of a wide variety of acts of violence, natural, and technological disasters. To

address these threats, the State of New York has enacted the Safe Schools Against Violence in

Education (SAVE) law. This component of Project SAVE is a comprehensive planning effort

that addresses risk reduction/prevention, response, and recovery with respect to a variety of

emergencies in the school district and its schools. The Spencer-Van Etten Central School

District supports the SAVE Legislation. The Superintendent of Schools encourages and

advocates on-going district-wide cooperation and support of Project SAVE.

Purpose

The Spencer-Van Etten Central School District, District-wide School Safety Plan was

developed pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation 155.17. At the direction of the Spencer-Van

Etten Central School District Board of Education, the Superintendent of The Spencer-Van Etten

Central School District appointed a District-wide School Safety Team and charged it with the

development and maintenance of the District-wide School Safety Plan. This plan will be

reviewed on an annual basis.

INTRODUCTION

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND

PLANNING GUIDELINES

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Identification of School Teams

The Spencer-Van Etten School District has appointed a District-wide School Safety

Team consisting of, but not limited to, representatives of the School Board, students, teachers,

administrators, parent organizations, school safety personnel, and other school personnel.

In January 2003, a committee was designated to serve in developing the district wide

safety plan. They all met at a BOCES wide meeting for a day to begin the process. The next

meeting back was held the following month at which time sub committees were formed.

Throughout the following year the committee developed and updated both district wide and

building plans. This plan has since been reviewed and revised eight times. The committee

membership has changed due to personnel changes.

The current members of the Spencer-Van Etten District Wide School 2018-19 Safety

Team and their positions or affiliations are as follows:

District Superintendent Diahann Hesler

Chief Emergency Officer Diahann Hesler

Director of Facilities, Emergency Mgt. Coordinator Lance Cundy

Principal, Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School Matt Stroup

Nurse, Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School Tammy Martinez

Principal, Spencer-Van Etten Middle School Brandon Foley

Nurse, Spencer-Van Etten Middle School Donna Gulde

Principal, Spencer-Van Etten High School Missy Jewell

Nurse, Spencer-Van Etten High School Theresa Vallely

Transportation Supervisor John Horvath

Secretary, Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School Amy Bishop

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director James Howey

Health and Safety Committee Union President Amy Bishop

Guidance Counselor Marjorie McKinery/Jordan Ashman

Parent David Lanning

Public Information Coordinator Jennifer Swayze

Food Service Director Jerry Carr

Section 155.13(e) of the Commissioner’s Regulations requires that superintendents not in a

supervisory district are to notify the State Education Department as soon as possible whenever the

school emergency management plan is activated and results in the closure of a school building in the

district. A superintendent of a school within a supervisory district is to notify the BOCES District

Superintendent as soon as possible whenever the school emergency management plan is activated

and results in the closure of a school building. The BOCES District Superintendent is to notify the

State Education Department of all school building closures not related to routine weather

emergencies.

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Collaborative Arrangements with local/state law enforcement:

Administrative staff are expected to maintain collaborative relationships with the

New York State Police, Tioga and Chemung County Sheriffs, and local police

agency.

Police authorities should be consulted when the safety of staff, students, or the

facilities is in jeopardy.

Non-Violent Conflict Resolution Training Programs:

Numerous types of training are available from a variety of sources, the implementation by

all departments and programs to minimize the potential for violence. A sampling of the

available resources includes:

- Training programs available through the New York State Police

- Programs such as "Bully Proofing Your School," available through the New York

State Sharing Success Network.

- Abide by the Dignity for All Students Act

- BOCES trainings including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)

Early Detection of Potentially Violent Behaviors

Building Emergency Teams shall receive regular training in response and management of

emergency situations, post-incident response, event evaluation, and debriefing.

Personnel acting in security functions shall receive training in de-escalation, non-violent crisis

intervention, and non-violent intervention strategies. Key staff members such as guidance

counselors, the school administrators and the Nurse will respond to potentially harmful

situations.

All school employees will receive at least two hours of instruction on issues involving school

safety within 30 days of hire. These may include, but are not limited to:

Warning signals for violence Mentoring

De-Escalation training Social skill development

Non-Violent conflict resolution Character education

Improving communication between students and staff

Prevention Strategies

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Contract(s) for staff will be made with qualified local agencies to provide annual school safety

training staff. Annual Multi-hazard Training for staff will include Right-to-Know training,

Hazardous Material training, and training on Blood Borne Pathogens.

At the beginning of the school year student and staff handbooks are available to students and

teachers. Components are reviewed at the beginning of the school year. Handbooks are reviewed

and provided to teachers at the beginning of the school year. On conference days other required

awareness and safety trainings are provided by the GST BOCES health and safety personnel. At

other times special speakers are brought in for either staff or students. Parental participation is

always welcome.

Assistance during Emergencies

The primary responsibility for obtaining assistance from emergency services and local

government agencies during an emergency rests with the Administrative staff. A teacher or a

staff member should speak with his/her immediate supervisor about obtaining assistance unless

such emergency is so dire as not to allow the time to do so.

** The contact for extreme emergencies is 911**

The following list of resources is meant to be a starting point, not a complete list.

FIRST LINE OF ASSISTANCE: Police 911 Dispatcher

Business Calls: Tioga County Sheriff 687-1010 Chemung County Sheriff 737-2987

NYS Police (Horseheads) 739-8797

NYS Police (Owego) 565-8581

The 911 dispatcher has a variety of services available such as police, fire response, rescue, emergency

medical technicians, heavy rescue, auto extrication, communications, water rescue equipment, water pumps, and the like. The dispatcher also has contact with other emergency agencies on a priority

telephone basis such as the Cornell Safety, and Inter-County disaster communications as well as direct links with medical services such as Cayuga Medical Center. There are few situations in which

the 911 dispatcher cannot offer some assistance. The dispatcher’s office is staffed 24 hours a day, all year.

It can be expected that in a countywide or statewide emergency event, the communication system

for the 911-dispatcher may be inoperable or the resources dispatched by the office set on a priority

basis. Under such conditions, it will be best for the school district to mobilize its own resources.

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*Other possibly important numbers for urgent, but not emergent situations are:

Police and Fire

NY State Police 911

Chemung County Sheriff 737-2987

Tioga County Sheriff 687-1010

Ambulance Service 911

New York State Police 687-3961

FBI

(Albany Office) 518-465-7551

U.S. Secret Service 315-448-0304

Hospitals

Robert Packer Hospital 570-888-6666

Arnot Ogden Medical Center 737-4100

Cayuga Medical Center 274-4011

United Health Services (Switchboard) 607-763-6000

St. Joseph’s Hospital 733-6541

Other Emergency Services

Child Abuse and Maltreatment 800-342-3720

New York State Electric and Gas 347-4131

Poison Control Center 800-222-1222

Tioga County Emergency Management Office 687-2023

Chemung County Emergency Management Office 737-2096

NY State Education Department 518-474-3901

Health Department

Chemung County 737-2028

Tioga County 687-8600

Department of Mental Hygiene



American Red Cross



Transit Systems


NYS Department of Transportation- Hornell 607-324-8404

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Complete and valid information is essential to the management of an emergency event. The best

information outside of the school may be obtained from the following sources in order of reliability:

• The National Warning System (NAWAS)

• Information available through the Sheriff’s office

• New York State Police teletype information

• Media

• Individuals reporting information. (Validity of information varies. For example, a fire chief

on the scene will probably have the best information available).

Identification of District Resources

During an emergency the following should be considered/consulted:

• District-Wide School Safety Plan (this document);

• School Building Safety Plan(s)

• Other community agencies

• Each school has emergency generators which provide power to run the boilers for heat,

hot water, lighting and emergency lights and in the High School, kitchen facilities.

This is an asset to the community and is listed as a resource with the local Red Cross

agency.

• The District also has a fuel depot at the Bus Garage, 16-72 passenger, and 1-30

passenger school buses, 5 suburban’s, 1 dump truck with plow, 2 pickup trucks

with plows, 2 staff car, tractors, UTV, portable emergency generator and a transport

trailer.

Procedures to coordinate the use of School District Resources

In the event of an emergency or disaster, the Superintendent, principal or designee, depending on the nature and severity of the emergency or disaster, should immediately notify/do the following:

• Call 911 to activate the emergency law enforcement, fire, and medical response systems

• The District Superintendent or his/her designee should immediately notify the Director of

Facilities (or Designee if the Director is not available).

• The decision to notify other emergency services shall be determined by the District

Superintendent or designee.

• Establishment of Command Post: The Director of Facilities (or Designee if the Director

is not available) notifies the District Superintendent, Principals and Transportation

Supervisor as necessary to assemble at a specific location designated as a Command

Post. Normally, this location will be the District Office, but an alternate location may be

determined by the Director of Facilities if conditions so warrant.

• The Director of Facilities (or Designee, if the Director is not available) contacts all

Maintenance Staff to report to an assigned location, and/or to remain on standby.

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School Building Security

School Building security is outlined in the School Building Safety Plans.

The District has no hall monitors or safety personnel assigned. Each staff member is responsible

for monitoring activities in and around the school property. They receive annual training in the

proper ways to perform these duties. Visitors to the school buildings are required to report to the

main office to sign a register and receive a visitors ID badge. The office personnel in each

school has received training to perform this function.

All new school employees are screened by utilizing the fingerprint background procedures

outlined by NYS Education Law. The school checks references for each applicant and each

applicant goes through an extensive interview process.

All staff/faculty members are to wear district ID badges.

Visitors/Intruders

Every staff member is responsible for the safety of students and the school. Therefore, it is

essential that every adult in our schools follow procedures that will ensure the safety of every-

one. This includes clear identification of our SVE employees (by means of a photo identification

tag) and visitors (visitor badges) to our buildings on a daily basis.

• Authorized

Visitors, while welcome in school for their contributions to the education of children, are

only to remain in school for purposes directly related to their authorized visit. All visitors

must follow the procedures established by the building. This includes signing in and

noting time when entering the building, wearing an identification tag/badge during their

visit, and signing out and noting time when leaving. This includes the following:

substitute teachers, family members, students not enrolled in our district, volunteers,

maintenance workers, contractors, and vendors. A visitor who enters or remains in a

school without authorization may be considered an intruder. If such determination is

made, all necessary precautions and actions should be taken. The visitor registry shall be

supervised by office staff members who have a clear view of the entrance via cameras.

Each school safety team shall be responsible for establishing this procedure and

determining the person(s) responsible for this task. Any group using a district facility will

submit a building use form. The individual signing the building use form will be

responsible for reviewing the visitor and safety procedure with that group/individual.

• Unauthorized

An assessment of all unauthorized visitors can be made immediately by any school staff

member if it is determined that a visitor is unauthorized. After approaching an

unauthorized visitor, the following emergency actions should be taken:

1. Alert main office or designee by any means available

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2. Await further instructions from the person in charge of the building or the

designee. The person in charge of the building will determine additional actions,

which may include “Lockdown” procedure (designed by each school).

Annual Multi-Hazard School Safety Training

The District continues its obligation to ensure that all staff receive the required annual Right-to-

Know, Hazard Communication, and Blood borne Pathogen (Exposure Control) training.

As required by Commissioner's Regulations, the District will implement required violence

prevention education and mental health training as part of the Superintendent's Conference Day

activities each year. This training will also be provided to new employees within 30 days of hire.

The District also has annual fire safety training as required by section F406 of New York State

Fire Code. Arson and fire prevention training are conducted under section 808 of Education Law.

Bus drivers conduct bus evacuation drills with students.

At the beginning of the school year, at a general staff meeting, all staff will be given a

chance to go over procedures for all the mandatory drills and procedures.

Once a year the district safety committee shall convene for a day and review the plan, talk about

new ideas for training and do table top drills for the major emergencies.

Test Components of the Emergency Response Plan

Every school year, Spencer-Van Etten Central School District will conduct at least 12

Emergency Drills consisting of 8 Evacuation Drills and 4 Lock Down Drills to test the district’s

Emergency Plan. Transportation and communication procedures shall be included in the test.

Shelter-in-Place/Hold-in-Place Drill

Upon notification of a drill, building principals shall direct pupils and staff to designated

assembly areas or to remain in classrooms as appropriate.

Early Dismissal Drill

Pupils will be released to their assigned buses when such buses are announced as available.

Normal bus schedules will be advanced fifteen (15) minutes for the early dismissal plan

drill. Parents or guardians shall be notified in writing at least one week prior to such drills.

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The Superintendent or Designee shall file a post emergency report with the

Superintendent and the BOCES Superintendent within five days.

Plans for Response to Specific Emergencies

School Cancellation School occasionally must close down operations because of severe weather or unanticipated

emergencies. The decision to cancel school is made by the District Superintendent or his

designee. When school is cancelled because of emergency conditions, the following will occur:

1. The Superintendent will notify the Principals, Transportation Supervisor Director of

Facilities, Director of Food Service and Public Information Coordinator.

2. These persons will begin any telephone contacts they have arranged with their staff in

their department. (Each person mentioned will designate an alternate to be called in the

event that (s)he is unavailable.)

3. The Superintendent or designee will notify the appropriate radio stations and television

channels: Appendix A (attached) and information will be posted on district webpage,

district Facebook page and the SchoolMessenger Rapid Call system will be

implemented.

Early Dismissal

In the face of an emergency situation occurring during the school day, the following procedures

are to be followed:

1. The Superintendent or his/her designee makes or approves a "go home" decision.

2. Wherever necessary and advisable, an announcement is made on the radio stations and

television channels and web site. The SchoolMessenger Rapid Call system will be

implemented as identified in the section above. 3. Sufficient school personnel will remain until all students have safely dismissed and

arrived home safely.

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Evacuation/Alternate Shelter Plan

1. The Superintendent or Designee makes the decision to evacuate the school.

2. The Superintendent or Designee notifies the Director of Facilities, with the

Transportation Director as an alternate if the Director of Facilities is not available,

Director of Food Service and building administrators of the need to evacuate.

3. Staff and students will evacuate the buildings to assigned evacuation destinations at the

sound of the fire alarm. Staff members are responsible for accounting for all students.

4. The Superintendent or Designee) sends maintenance personnel to each location to be

evacuated to inform staff members of the evacuation plan. Building Administrator (or

designee) will check that all students are accounted for prior to and again upon arrival at

evacuation site. Building Administrator or Designee will report by cell phone to the

Superintendent or Designee regarding the accountability of staff and students. The

building administrator or designee will secure the “To Go Bag” before evacuation.

5. The Superintendent or Designee in conjunction with Building Administrators

arranges for the relocation of staff and students from evacuation locations to the

alternate shelter facilities as follows:

• Staff and students remain at the shelter locations until informed by the

Superintendent or Designee that it is appropriate to leave.

6. The Superintendent or Designee contacts Transportation Supervisor to arrange

transportation or give special instructions.

7. The Transportation Supervisor contacts any bus drivers who are off campus and will

instruct them to report to the appropriate location.

8. The Superintendent or Designee establishes a command post with the

Administrator in charge. The command post is in the District Office; or, if that

building is affected by the emergency, in an alternate location determined by the

Superintendent or Designee. Locations will be used in the following order:

1) District Office

2) Elementary School Office

3) Middle School Office

4) Transportation Department

Evening and Weekend Emergencies

In the case of an emergency when an event is being held at Spencer-Van Etten CSD, the

responsible staff person shall immediately take the appropriate action. (Chain of command in

the following order: Administrator on site, Maintenance personnel on site, Chaperone) As soon

as feasible, the Principal and the Superintendent must be notified.

All school district personnel supervising events shall have access to a copy of the Emergency

Management Plan.

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Intervention Strategies

Any threat to the safety and well-being of students and/or staff will be treated seriously. Threats

involving bodily injury will be considered in the context of the Code of Conduct adopted and

approved for use by the staff.

Law Enforcement: In Violent Incident The primary responsibility for contacting law enforcement regarding threats or acts of violence

rests with the Administrative staff. Students should contact law enforcement only when it is not

possible for an administrator to do so. A staff member should contact law enforcement only

when it is not possible or practical for an administrator to do so. In the event that a student or

staff member contacts law enforcement, he/she should notify his/her immediate supervisor.

Please keep the following guidelines in operation when responding to a violent act:

• Inform all staff members of the basic details of the incident and continue to keep them

informed (if the violent act effects a large population of faculty/students). Establish a

mechanism for all staff to continue to give you feedback throughout the entire process.

• Inform students of the basic information known, in as personal and calm a fashion as

possible. It is imperative that a plan of action be put in place so that every student enrolled

can be reached after school hours in case of an emergency.

• Inform parents, caregivers, and persons in parental role. Send a letter home with all

students for any violent incidents that potentially impact a significant number of students

(includes general information about the incident).

• In violent incidents necessitating building evacuation with emergency evacuation plan, parents will be notified via mass media and SchoolMessenger All Call.

• In the event of a violent incident involving the entire building, students should not be

allowed to use phones unless authorized by a building administrator.

• Parents/guardians of students involved and/or impacted by a violent act will be contacted.

• Information regarding student records and families are to be treated in a confidential

manner. A breach of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action.

Note: If Student Discipline is needed, refer to the SVE Student Conduct and Discipline Manual.

Possible contacts include but are not limited to the following:

New York State Police 911


Tioga County Sherriff 687-1010

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Acts of Violence

Any act of violence is to be considered in the context of the Code of Conduct. Please refer to the

Code of Conduct for additional information about the consequences of violent behavior. If the

act of violence is so egregious as to require action(s) beyond that/those found in the Code of

Conduct, then the following responses should occur: 1. A staff member should report the incident to his/her immediate supervisor.

2. An Administrator should report the threat to the District Superintendent or designee, who

will decide whether or not to involve the local authorities and/or emergency personnel.

Possible contacts include but are not limited to the following:

New York State Police 911


Tioga County Sherriff 687-1010

3. Other actions include but are not limited to the following:

• Employ appropriate building lock down procedures

• Notify the Director of Facilities

• Assure that all students are accounted for

• Prepare a command post

• Determine locations of all staff and students

• Allow the perpetrator(s) to escape out of and away from the building

• Avoid reckless/imprudent actions: keep a distance, do not make quick moves, do not

force the issue mentally or physically.

Fight, Assault or Rape

Immediate Actions

• Call for administrative assistance. The administrator shall notify the Superintendent

and/or make determination if law enforcement or other agencies should be contacted.

• Building Principal will determine if a Hold-In-Place is necessary.

• Notify the building nurse.

• Enlist help to control onlookers. Isolate.

• Clear the area of students.

• Remain in visual contact of altercation encouraging those involved to cease. Secure area

as a possible crime scene.

• Remove objects that might increase danger to participants.

• Obtain names of those involved.

• Await assistance from administrative staff.

• Treat life-threatening injuries only (airway, bleeding, and circulation). Do not alter

physical condition of victim and surroundings (to protect evidence).

• Call the parent, spouse or other individual on the student’s or employee’s emergency

information card, after consultation with law enforcement. • Accompany the victim to the hospital, if appropriate.

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Suicidal Threats

Standard Procedure:

1. When a staff member hears a threat or concerning statement about a student wanting to harm themselves and there is no pre-existing plan for that student*, they will make direct contact with the building administrator and/or one of the following people: a. Elementary School – Thomas Anderson, Kristen Cooke, or Tracy Palombizio b. Middle School – Thomas Anderson, Kristen Eddy, Dan Craven or Lara Rogan c. High School – Thomas Anderson, Marjorie McKinery, Jordan Ashman, or Judy Cady

2. If no counselor is available in the building, the staff member/principal will contact another counselor from a different building.

3. The student’s parents will be contacted before the student goes home by a counselor. If the parent cannot be reached, emergency contacts will be used. Additional safety precautions or resources will be utilized as needed.

4. Counselor will document the event and share with building administration, along with the

school psychologist.

• It is important to note the difference between behavior vs. suicidality. If student statements of suicide are behavioral, a behavior plan to address this concern will be created. The counselor conducting the assessment will make the determination if a behavioral plan is warranted.

Responses to Emergencies

Bomb Threats When a threat is received, the person answering the call should utilize the bomb threat

sheet and write down any responses. They should immediately contact the following

people in order:

1. Building Principal – who will contact

• Appropriate law enforcement agency (911) (When a drill, make call to 911 and

inform them we are confirming a scheduled bomb drill)

• Building custodians, so they can scan the exiting areas that students and staff

will be using. • Make announcement to staff and students to report to classrooms:

✓ Open windows only if suspicious object is observed, notify office and follow evacuation procedures.

✓ Take attendance and await for further instructions from an administrator or

Supervisor.

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2. Secretary will contact the following in order:

• Contact Superintendent of Schools at District Office (x3400 or 589-7100). If specific school only, district superintendent to contact other schools to alert

principals and staff. Superintendent or Designee will: ✓ Contact other schools immediately if the threat is district wide. ✓ Respond to scene to command and coordinate

✓ Be spokesperson for district.

In Superintendent’s absence- Director of Instructional Support; in their absence respective building principal will assume responsibilities.

• Contact Director of Facilities (x3430 or 589-7130).

✓ Director of Facilities is to report to scene to coordinate search with search

team.

• Contact Director of Transportation (x3660 or 589-7160).

✓ Arrange for transportation of students and/or help transport students to

safe locations if necessary

✓ Report to scene and assist with search

Bomb Threat Guidelines

NYS School Safety Guide - Revised 2013

General

• A bomb threat, even if later determined to be a hoax, is a criminal action. No bomb

threat should be treated as a hoax when it is first received.

• The decision whether or not to evacuate is dependent upon information received in the

threat, and how credible that information is.

• Two alternatives to evacuation are compartmentalization and pre-clearance.

o Compartmentalization relies on students remaining in their present locations while school administration and authorities assess and investigate the threat.

Variations of compartmentalization - such as moving certain segments of the school population based upon new or developing information – can also be

utilized in an effective response.

o Pre-clearance relies on anticipating a threat.

• During regents testing, all testing areas are to be searched and secured at the end of

each day, from day one when area is set up, and not opened before the next day when

test proctors are there.

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Pre-Clearance and Security Screening in Lieu of Evacuation

• It is strongly recommended that school officials carefully coordinate this option in

cooperation with local law enforcement officials. • This option may only be implemented prior to the receipt of an actual bomb threat,

And

Only after building and grounds have been “cleared” at the start of the day and continually monitored throughout the day.

• This option may be appropriate when a school reasonably anticipates the receipt of a

bomb threat or if there is a particular concern over the possibility of a bomb threat.

(During the administration of Regents examinations or during other school-wide events.)

• School administrators who choose this option must ensure that all of the following steps

are followed for ensuring the security of the building: o Staff must be assigned to do a “walk-through” of the buildings and grounds

prior to the arrival of students in the morning to ensure that there are no suspicious objects in or around the building.

o Staff who complete the “walk-through” must report findings to the school principal.

o Monitors must be assigned to walk around the outside of the building if state

examinations are being administered.

o A single point of entry to each building for students and staff must be established, and monitored by school personnel.

o School staff must monitor all exits. o In the case of state examinations, students must not be admitted to the

building more than 30 minutes before the start of that examination. o Students may only be admitted to the building after passing through a

checkpoint to ensure that they are bringing with them only preapproved items.

o Student book bags and knapsacks must be inspected. o It may be appropriate to send a notice home prior to the event to clearly state that

book bags will not be permitted for that particular event.

o During state examinations, testing locations are to be clearly marked.

o Students must only be allowed in the areas of the building where exams are being administered.

o All lockers, including unassigned lockers, must have locks. o A reporting procedure must be in effect for sighting any unusual object or

behavior.

o Parking adjacent to buildings should not be allowed.

School Employee Involvement

• Schools may form teams of volunteers from administration, faculty, and staff to assist in

sweeping a building or grounds for anything that looks out of place.

• Prior to an incident, school officials should make certain that people who volunteer in the school building, such as parents or other community members, are trained and aware of

their responsibilities.

• School employees who volunteer or by job duty are assigned to assist, should have access

to building keys, floor plans, and information about shut-off valves for heat, electricity, water, and ventilation (HVAC).

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Receiving Bomb Threats

Written Threats

• Contact Police (911).

• Any receiving a written bomb threat must immediately notify the school building

administrator.

• Handling of a written bomb threat should be kept to an absolute minimum, since it may

be used as evidence in a criminal investigation.

• Fingerprints may be taken from the note to help determine its source.

• A threat written on a bathroom wall, mirror, or stall should not be removed until it is

viewed or documented (photographed) by law enforcement.

Telephone or Other Verbal Threats


• Anyone receiving information about a bomb threat must immediately notify the school

building administrator

• The NYSP Bomb Threat Instruction Card should be placed next to telephones that are

most likely to receive such calls.

• The bomb threat caller is the best source of information about a possible bomb.

• It is desirable that more than one person listens in on the call.

• Person likely to receive a threatening call (switchboard) should receive special training

and have a list of emergency agency telephone numbers available, as well as the

telephone numbers of school officials to be immediately contacted.

• If possible, the telephone threat should be taped.

• Caller identification or other types of tracing devices should be considered. Information to be asked of the caller includes:

o Where is the bomb located?

o When will the bomb go off?

o What does the bomb look like?

o What kind of explosive is involved?

o Why was the bomb placed? o What is your name? (The caller may be caught off guard and give you his or

her name).

• Also note: time of call, language used by caller, gender, approximate age, speech

characteristic (slow, fast, soft, disguised, intoxicated), noticeable background noise (music, motors running, street traffic).

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Suspicious Packages


• Anyone receiving a suspicious package must immediately notify the school building

administrator.

• Mail bombs can be contained in letters, books, and parcels of varying sizes, shapes, and

colors.

• Letter bombs may feel rigid, appear uneven or lopsided, or are bulkier than normal.

• The container is irregularly shaped, asymmetrical, and has soft spots and bulges.

• There may be oil stains on the wrapper. The wrapper may emit a peculiar odor.

• The package may be unprofessionally wrapped and be endorsed with phrases such as

“Fragile – Handle with Care,” “Rush – Do Not Delay,” “To Be Opened in the Privacy

of ,” “Prize Enclosed,” or “Your Lucky Day is Here.”

• There may be cut and paste lettering on the address label.

• The package may have no postage or non-cancelled postage.

• The package may exhibit protruding wires, foil, string, or tape.

• The package may emit a buzzing or ticking noise.

• A suspect letter or package may arrive immediately before or after a telephone call from

an unknown person asking if the item was received.

o Do Not open or squeeze the envelope or package.

o Do Not pull or release any wire, string, or hook.

o Do Not turn or shake the letter or package.

o Do Not put the letter or package in water or near heat. o Do Not touch the letter or package, thereby compromising fingerprint

evidence.

o Do move people away from the suspected envelope or package.

o Do notify the state and/or local police (911).

o Do activate your emergency plan for dealing with bombs.

Investigating Bomb Threats

• Appropriate law enforcement agencies must be notified.

• Be aware of availability and limitations of specialized emergency services - including

bomb squads, hazardous materials management, and county and state emergency

management agencies.

o Be aware that law enforcement agencies generally do not initially send out bomb sniffing dogs.

o Bomb sniffing dogs have a limited time of efficiency so that their use is carefully

considered.

The school district administrator makes the decision regarding evacuation, continuation,

or dismissal of school - first responders can assist and consult with them to make their

decision (joint decision making – unified command).

Police may enlist the assistance of the school faculty/staff that are familiar with the

building and can recognize objects that do not belong or are out of place. Scanning does not involve touching or handling a suspect object.

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Bomb Threats on Buses

• Call 911 District Office and the Director of Transportation

• Dispatcher finds out

o Location

o Number of students

o Any immediately visible suspicious packages

• District office decision based on all information available which plan of action to take:

Low Level Threat

• Operation drives to nearest open area to transfer students

• Evacuation when deemed necessary

High Level Threat

• Driver stops bus safely and evacuates immediately and moves to a safe area at least 1000

feet away or further as directed by emergency personnel on the scene.

• Keeps students together.

Civil Unrest - Riot

Although the social causes for civil unrest are probably justified in the minds of the perpetrators, the larger concern is for the safety of the general population and the stability of the society in the face of such events. The forces that are unleashed in a riot are usually directed at objects and persons at hand rather than targeted and premeditated areas.

Immediate Actions

• ISOLATE the action if within the school (lockdown). Keep students in classrooms. Do not

permit crowds to form. Instruct teachers to remain with classes in their rooms until further

notice.

• Call the police 911 and the Superintendent. Describe the event as accurately as possible

including the approximate number of people involved, the presence of weapons and other

pertinent information.

• Do not attempt to intervene with perpetrators if destruction to property has begun. Avoid

placing school personnel in danger. Property can be replaced; people cannot.

• The safety of the perpetrators must also be considered. To protect the perpetrators,

ISOLATE the action and keep contact between groups to a minimum.

• Establish a Command Post with direct communications to the Superintendent and 911-

dispatcher.

• Activate any emergency pre-plans that may pertain to the event such as fire, explosion,

etc.

• Lock up, any access to utilities, supplies, generators, heating plants, vehicles, etc., that

may need protection.

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Procedure for Orders of Protection An order of protection is a legal court order authorized by a judge, which restricts the amount or degree or proximity of contact allowed between specific individuals.

Any Order of Protection must be filed with the building principal.

It is the responsibility of the principal to immediately inform all staff (including secretarial

and bus aides) whom NEED TO KNOW in order to protect the individual named in the

Order of Protection. The principal will also notify law enforcement of the presence of an

individual prohibited from entering the premises.

Note: “Need to Know” would be those staff members who have contact with the protected

individual.

Weapons If it is ascertained by school personnel that a weapon(s) has been brought onto the campus, the following emergency actions will be taken:

Immediate Actions

• Principal or designee calls 911 and alerts Superintendent

Note: In this emergency situation, when law enforcement officials arrive, their

authority supersedes school building/district authority.

• Await further instructions from the Person in Charge of Building or designee, which

may include “Lock Down” procedures within building safety plans.

o Staff will secure their areas of responsibilities

o Teacher will direct students to areas of cover and account for students o In non-classroom settings (playground, outside quad or cafeteria, etc.) staff need to

assemble students to safe areas: classrooms, gym, auditorium or away from building if threat is indoors.

o Await further instructions

o Do not leave areas until told to do so

If an individual(s) fires a weapon(s) in your area, take the following actions:

• Call 911 if phone available; otherwise notify principal immediately who will call 911

and Superintendent for assistance. If possible alert the main office.

• Call a “Lock Down” and follow procedure

• Do not cover windows (Law Enforcement Personnel will want to see into each room)

Note: In an emergency when law enforcement is called to the school, School

Personnel Authority is superseded by law enforcement when they are on site.

However, Principal should still be the person to relay information.

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ACTIVE SHOOTER

Hostage Taking, Armed Person • First responsible person aware of event will contact principal, who will

o Notify sheriff or state police; give specifics of situation, number of persons involved and location.

o Notify Superintendent or Designee if not already notified.

o Be available to meet law enforcement personnel.

• If armed person is in classroom, do not enter. Observe what is visible from outside

the room and take appropriate action.

o Implement lockdown procedures. o If possible notify teachers in affected areas to secure doors and have students

move to an area not visible from the door (i.e. classroom bathroom, storage room, closet…).

o If intruder gives orders that indicate that he/she is holding the class hostage,

follow orders and urge students to follow orders.

o Await instructions from law enforcement office in charge of scene. Be aware that police will try to negotiate with the person and that this may take a long time.

• If armed person on school bus:

o Remain calm. If feasible, use radio to alert bus garage to problem before

armed person takes control of bus.

o Ask armed person what they want and indicate they can use bus radio to request it.

o Do as armed person requests. o Be alert for law enforcement intervention. Generally, law enforcement

officers will attempt to negotiate the intruder off the bus or at least to free the students.

Child Abduction from Bus Loading/Unloading Area and/or Stop

• Confront calmly. If given prior notification that child abduction is a possibility, as

in child custody cases, try to notify bus garage before abduction occurs.

• If person snatches student and flees, notify bus garage immediately by radio.

• As soon as possible jot down description of suspected abductor, make, model and

license plate number of car, if observed.

• Do not endanger yourself or other students by trying to stop abduction.

• Notify transportation supervisor/principal as soon as possible.

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Child Abduction/Unauthorized Visitor on School Premises If you see a possibly unauthorized adult approach a student, move to the area calmly and ask “May I help you…”

If abduction is already in progress, do not attempt to interfere, but,

implement lockdown procedures and call other school buildings.

• If in position to see it or able to move to see it, get the license plate number of car

of suspected abductor.

• If possible, notify another adult of what is happening and ask that person to notify

the principal and call the local policy agency. Do not shout so that abductor can

hear— he/she may be armed and you may endanger the lives of others.

• Notify the principal and have him/her notify law enforcement, if not already

notified.

• As soon as possible, write a description of suspected abductor and make, model

and license plate number of car, if observed.

Child Abduction from Classroom • Ask suspected abductor if he/she has written permission to take child.

• Confront calmly.

• If there is opportunity, indicate that the student must be signed out at office. Escort

person to office.

• If person snatches student and flees, notify office immediately by intercom. Depending upon location, try to move to a point where you can observe the abductor leaving

building, and note car license plate number and direction headed.

• Follow rest of steps outlined for school premises scenario.

• Notify sheriff or state police if not already notified.

Kidnapping/Hostage When a student is taken forcibly from school (Weapons may or may not be involved):

• Person or persons who witnessed the student’s removal should immediately document

any pertinent information including description of individual, a car license number,

description of car, and any other specific details. Administrator will call 911 and

Superintendent immediately.

• Information is to be reported immediately to administration via the nearest telephone. Do not use intercom system to relay information. The administration will be in

contact with parent(s), the police, and Superintendent of Schools.

• Faculty will be notified of the incident by messenger or alternate means. A faculty

meeting will be scheduled for the close of the school day to discuss event and

procedures for the following day. A fact sheet will be distributed to staff at this time.

• Plans will be instituted to place more personnel on campus for the next few

weeks if principal and SAFE Schools Team deems it to be necessary. Continue

to note any unfamiliar persons in the school building or on school grounds. Staff is to

be instructed to immediately report any unidentified person in the building to the

administration, and request ID if possible.

• Plans for follow up assistance will be evaluated and made for the school community.

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Situational Emergency Responses

The following pages include the procedures to be utilized during each of the emergency

situations listed below. It is the responsibility of the building administrator to maintain

records on each of these events. A copy of this documentation shall be forwarded to the

Superintendent or her designee.

Hazardous Materials All threats to school building occupants must be treated seriously. Any threat is a criminal act.

Immediate Actions

If a letter, package, or container claiming to be infected with anthrax is received,

or a phone call saying there is anthrax present at your location, YOUR FIRST

ACTION SHOULD BE TO CONTAIN THE THREAT TO AS FEW PEOPLE

AND AS SMALL AN AREA AS POSSIBLE. This is accomplished by the following:

1. Immediately isolate the threat by not moving the letter, package, or

container from its original location.

2. Move people away from the immediate area and do not allow ANYONE to

touch or move the threat.

3. Close doors and windows to the area and lock the room if possible to avoid

others accidentally contacting the threat. Those individuals originally

present when the threat was discovered should remain nearby and not in

contact with uninvolved individuals. They will not receive an additional

exposure if the threat remains undisturbed.

4. Call 911 and advise the operator of your situation. Remain on the line until

instructed to hang up. Notify Superintendent.

5. School threat isolation/contaminant procedures vary from one locale to

another. It is recommended that, if possible, the threat be isolated and

confined to a given room or school area as described above. It is not

necessary to confine students to classrooms, evacuate the building, or

directly send students to a predetermined assembly area within the school

unless these actions aid the response efforts of the emergency service

responders or these efforts will eliminate possible exposure to the threat if

it is widely disseminated through the building or its location within the

school is unknown.

6. Those individuals who came in direct contact with the threat should be

identified and assembled together in one location, if not already

accomplished, so they do not possibly contaminate others with the threat -

individuals who came in direct contact with the threat should be advised not

to eat, drink, smoke, chew, or rub their eyes, ears, nose, or mouth or place

their hands near their faces; they should be escorted to a hand wash

station where they should thoroughly wash their hands and/or other

contaminated body areas with copious amounts of soap and water. Only

paper or cloth-drying towels should be used, and these should be segregated

from regular waste or dirty linen. If contamination of clothing is evident,

clothing items should be carefully removed to prevent the spread of

contamination and segregated in a given area. These individuals should

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remain together until released by health or law enforcement experts.

7. It is not necessary to shut down heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

systems within buildings with an anthrax threat unless the threat was

directed at the HVAC system or the package/container was found within the

HVAC system.

Contain the Exposure

• Close off the room (doors and windows), do not allow anyone other than qualified emergency personnel to enter.

• Close the package or envelope to limit additional exposure. Do not clean powder up; keep others away.

• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or any other part of your body. • If possible, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. • If clothing is heavily contaminated, don’t brush vigorously. • If possible, close down the buildings heating/air conditioning/ventilation system.

• Make a list of all people who had actual contact with the powder for investigating authorities.

Notify the Appropriate Authorities

• 911 or your local law enforcement authorities • Local FBI field office, and

• Local health department.

More information, New York State Health Department Bureau of Communicable Disease

Control: (518) 473-4439

Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222

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Building Collapse Immediate Actions

1. Seek immediate shelter either in room or hallway. Get under desks or tables.

2. Avoid glass windows, heavy fixtures, shelved equipment, and objects that might fall.

3. Evacuate building when collapse has subsided. Do not wait for directions to do so.

Communications will probably be disrupted. Get away from building. Use pre-planned

evacuation routes if possible.

4. In evacuating, avoid electrical panels, wires, and electrical fixtures.

5. Do not return to building under any circumstances.

6. Notify the 911-dispatcher and the SVE Director of Facilities of the event in any way

possible—fire alarm box, telephone.

7. Set up a Command Post in a visible and secure location.

8. Each staff member should account for students who were being supervised during the

time of the collapse.

9. Request an appropriate number of ambulances to serve the injured (911).

10. If possible, activate pre-plan for alternative shelter for students.

11. With permission of the Superintendent, activate the “Go Home” plan for students

who have been checked out as healthy and uninjured. Record each student’s location

or destination through the teachers.

12. Continue to notify Superintendent and Director of Facilities of status and

situation.

Bus Accident Procedures

1. Bus driver or emergency personnel contacts transportation department:

2. Director of transportation assesses seriousness of incident and initiates the

following procedures as deemed necessary.

• Superintendent’s office shall be called: Superintendent notifies building

administrator.

• Building administrator alerts the appropriate health professional(s) assigned

to the building.

• In loco parentis will be exercised at accident site by Director of

Transportation or other administrator present, including signing of

appropriate release forms.

• If the bus continues to school, students will be kept in one area until

the appropriate health professional has assessed each student.

• If the students are transported to the hospital emergency room, the

Transportation Department contacts the Superintendent, and the appropriate

district personnel will provide the hospital emergency room with medical

information.

• Students in the hospital emergency room will be transported home or to

school by parent or parent designee.

• Parents of all students on the affected bus will be instructed in person, by

telephone, or by a note home, to call their child’s physician for possible

further follow up.

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• Driver should have names and addresses of all persons involved and all witnesses.

Some witness may leave before law enforcement arrives. • Drivers should have in their possession, seating charts with their students listed on

them. • Depending on the law enforcement agency investigating an accident, the police may

request the driver to collect and have in their possession every student’s name, their

address, and phone number to give to a law enforcement officer at the site of the

accident. • At no time will a parent or legal guardian be allowed on the bus until the

proper authorities have completed their work at the site.

Earthquake Immediate Actions

1. Seek IMMEDIATE shelter either in a room or hallway. Get under desks or tables.

2. Avoid glass windows, heavy fixtures, shelved equipment, and objects that might fall.

3. In halls, stairways, or other areas where no cover is available,

• move to an interior wall

• kneel with your back to wall

• place your head close to knees

• cover the sides of your head with your elbows and

• clasp your hands firmly behind your neck.

In laboratories, extinguish all burners if possible before taking cover. Stay clear

of hazardous chemicals that may spill.

4. Evacuate building when earthquake is over. Get away from building. Use pre-

planned evacuation routes if possible.

5. In evacuating, avoid electrical panels, wires, and electrical fixtures.

6. Do not return to building under any circumstances.

7. Since this type of emergency will be area-wide, each building principal must take

responsibility for the details of emergency management.

8. Each staff member should attempt to account for the students in his/her care during

the time of the earthquake.

9. Set up a Command Post in a visible and secure location (each school should

know where and who is in a Command Post).

10. Since the emergency crews will be busy throughout the area operating on a priority

basis, inform the 911-dispatcher and the S-VE Director of Facilities of the status of

the school with as realistic a damage report as possible. Include number of injured,

missing, those known trapped. It may be necessary to send a messenger to closest

fire station should communications be disrupted.

11. Actively pre-plan for the use of emergency personnel located in the building.

12. Secure safe environment for students. Keep records of location of each student

dispatched to alternative shelter.

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Explosion Immediate Actions

1. Pull fire alarm and evacuate building to at least 300 ft. according to plan.

2. Principal calls 911 and Superintendent and the Director of Facilities Cell.

3. Once outside, await instructions from the Superintendent or Designee who has

alternate shelter site and route information. Students should be directed to alternate

shelter sites.

4. Teachers remain outside with students, supervise, and reassure.

Falling Object In this class of events is included: plane crash, missiles, and natural bodies such as meteorites, man-made commercial or military objects.

Immediate Actions

1. Take necessary shelter.

2. Set up a Command Post.

3. Keep students and staff in the sheltered areas.

4. Keep tuned to local media for information.

5. Keep staff and students informed of situation.

Fire Alarm Immediate Actions

1. If you notice smoke or fire in your building, pull alarm. Notify building administrator immediately who will call 911 Superintendent and the SVE Director of Facilities Cell. Administrators will meet Fire Department with information.

2. When school fire alarm is sounded, evacuate building according to “Emergency

Drill” card located in classroom areas and other exit locations. Be prepared to aid in the evacuation of students with physical handicaps, (crutches, braces, etc.).

3. Doors and windows must be closed to prevent the spread of smoke and gases during

evacuation.

4. Each teacher should account (by number) for students who were being supervised during the time of the fire. Reassure students. Report any missing students or injuries

to building principal or designee for medical assistance.

5. Await further instructions which may involve: procedure for return to school

schedule, evacuation to an alternate site, or Emergency evacuation plan.

Flooding

• Flood Watch: Conditions are favorable for flooding. Make staff aware but take no

action. • Flood Warning: Rising water threatens to close roads, wash out bridges and

inundate property. Move to shelter on higher ground.

Immediate Actions

1. Contact principal for flooding in your building and evacuate students to closest safe

area.

2. Principal or designee notifies the SVE Director of Facilities Cell.

3. Await instructions for alternate evacuation sites or the activation of the Emergency

evacuation plan. If the PA system is nonfunctional, a messenger will be sent.

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4. Deactivate any electrical equipment that is in danger of being inundated by the

flooding, if it is still safe to do so.

5. Await the Principal or designee’s report to evacuate. Route and alternate shelter will

be based on administrative decision.

6. Account for all students in your supervision area. Report any missing or injured

students to principal. Reassure students.

7. Avoid electrical equipment or objects that may fall. Do not drink school water unless

you are told it is safe to do so.

8. Remain with students. Do not allow any student to return to building if evacuation has

commenced.

9. In the alternate shelter, account for all students under your supervision at the time of

the event and continue to reassure.

Gas Leak The odor of natural gas may indicate a leak in the building, which may cause an explosion.

Immediate Actions

1. For a gas leak in your area, evacuate students and send designated runner to notify

administration. Administrator or designee will call 911, the Superintendent 589- 7100

and the SVE Director of Facilities, Director of Transportation 589-7160.

2. After receiving warning, staff and students will go directly to alternate shelter.

3. Do not open windows or attempt to ventilate the building, as this may pollute a larger

area or may cause the risk of explosion.

4. Remain with the students, supervise and reassure. Staff report any missing students or

injuries to administration.

5. Await further instructions and prepare for the Emergency evacuation plan.

Hazardous Materials Exposure Chemical Accidents

If you witness a hazardous materials accident, spill or leak, call 911

• The main threat is from toxic fumes.

• Many chemicals can be hazardous in more ways than one. A chemical may be

listed as flammable, but it also may be toxic, corrosive, or reactive, depending

on conditions.

If you are outside when hazardous materials spill:

• Move away from the spill.

• Move upstream, uphill, and upwind; hazardous materials can be transported quickly

by air and water.

• Don’t touch or step in spilled material.

If you are indoors when hazardous materials spill:

• Close all windows and doors. Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet

towels and duct tape or a similar thick tape.

• Close as many internal doors as possible.

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• If local authorities warn of an explosion, close all shades and drapes. Stay away

from the windows to prevent injury from flying glass.

• Turn off all ventilation systems or go to 100 percent recirculation so that no

outside air is drawn into the building.

• If you suspect that gas or vapors have entered the building, take shallow breaths

through a cloth or towel.

• Remain in protected, interior areas of the building where toxic vapors are

reduced.

Immediate Actions

1. Principal or designee will call 911, the Superintendent, and the S-VE Director of

Facilities to report as much accurate information as possible.

2. Shut off HVAC systems.

3. Immediately escort all exposed patients for medical assistance. Any exposure to

hazardous materials must be checked out by competent emergency services. Bring

material, name, or container as directed. Consult MSDS Data Sheet for treatment.

4. If directed by fire personnel, evacuate as directed.

5. Supervise and account for all students within your assignment.

6. Remain with the students if alternate shelter plan is in effect. Reassure students and

direct them in an orderly manner. (See Alternate Shelter Plan)

7. Await instructions for possible Emergency evacuation plan. Do not re-enter building for

any reason.

8. If fire personnel say that no evacuation is necessary, keep students and personnel

away from the event site.

Medical Emergency Situation A medical emergency includes infectious diseases, biological contamination, mass casualty accidents, a death at school, environmental emergencies, drug use, or other medically-related information that might impact the school population.

In the event of a pandemic, the school district with work closely with the county

health department and emergency management officials and follow their

recommendations. The school district will also refer to the "Pandemic Action Plan”

for additional resources.

Immediate Actions

In the event that an emergency involves life-threatening circumstances call 911, the

school nurse and the principal need to be notified immediately.

• Principal will call the Superintendent.

• The school nurse will evaluate the student(s) condition and will do the following:

o Call 911 if deemed necessary.

o Contact the student(s) parents.

• If the medical emergency is an infectious disease outbreak, the school nurse will

function as a member of the school district’s medical team.

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Storms Storms include: snowstorms, ice storms, windstorms, heavy rainstorms, thunderstorms, hail-storms and hurricanes.

Travelers’ advisory: Issued when ice and snow are expected to hinder travel.

Winter storm watch: Severe winter weather is possible. Winter storm warning: Heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain is expected.

Blizzard warning: Heavy snow and winds in excess of 35 miles per hour are expected.

The Superintendent makes the decision to open, delay opening, or close schools. School

employees and students should listen to the radio and television for word of the district’s

plans.

Immediate Actions

1. Contact district Superintendent and SVE Director of Facilities of situation

immediately.

2. Keep students in assigned classroom or area. Account for all students who are

under your supervision at this time. Pull the shades, close the blinds and shut the

door.

3. Notification of weather status and changes will be made at intervals by PA system

if functioning.

4. If wind and storm damages seem possible, pull shades and draw blinds.

5. If it appears that high velocity winds are a possibility, route students to interior

halls or shelter, (windowless area), if possible, until danger has passed. Route

students to the ground floor and avoid rooms with high ceilings (i.e., gym and

auditoriums).

6. Staff will receive instructions if an Emergency evacuation plan goes into effect.

7. The media will be notified by Superintendent or designee of any plans that differ

from the normal go-home time for students and staff.

If situation has already progressed to a danger point, continue with following plan:

• Establish Command Post and Information Center

• Mobilize local (in-house) emergency service team for standby

• Continue program schedule, if possible

• Confine students to areas inside buildings

• Advise staff to cover windows with shades or draw blinds if the possibility exists that windows may be broken by flying branches - window coverings will reduce

injury potential; close classroom door

• If winds are of high velocity and exposure to glass is great, route students to

interior hallways or shelters until danger has passed

• If confinement to the building time will exceed the normal departure schedule,

plan for an emergency feeding schedule

• For all grade levels, the principal and essential staff will remain at school until all

students are safely released and all clear is given from the transportation

department

• The Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee will notify media of extended plan for public and parental information.

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Tornadoes Tornado watch: Conditions are favorable for a tornado or severe weather.

Tornado warning: A tornado has been sighted in the area.

• If you see a revolving, funnel-shaped cloud, call 911 and the SVE Director of Facilities

immediately.

• Teachers are responsible for students in their area.

• Know the location of shelter areas at school.

• Listen to the radio and television stations for weather updates whenever severe

thunderstorms threaten.

• When a tornado is sighted, take cover immediately. Stay away from all windows,

doors and outside walls. Protect your head from falling objects or flying debris.

• If you’re in school when a tornado strikes, go to pre-designated areas. Interior hallways

on the lowest floors are usually safest. Stay away from windows and open spaces.

Duck, cover, and shield your head.

• If you’re riding on a small bus and there is no shelter nearby, get out and lie flat in the

nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert. Use your hands to shield your head.

• If you’re on a larger bus, sit on the floor and hold onto the seat. If a substantial

building is immediately available, get out and go to the structure.

• Don’t try to run away from a tornado in a school bus or other vehicle. Cars and trucks

are no match for these swift, erratic storms.

• Be cautious entering a building that may be damaged from high winds. Be sure that

walls, ceiling and roof are stable and that the structure rests firmly on the foundation.

Immediate Actions

1. After receiving warning, staff and students will go directly to Interior Shelter

Areas and await directions.

2. Account for students who were being supervised at the time of announcement and

report to the Person in Charge of Building or designee any missing or injured

students.

3. If there is not time to go to the shelter, sit on the floor, head down, arms and hands

overhead, next to an interior wall away from window, or get under desks or tables, face

down flat on floor.

4. Injured staff and students will receive treatment from school emergency personnel.

5. Await evacuation instructions and continue to supervise and reassure the students.

Utility Failure The Maintenance Department will make every attempt to provide each building in the district has alternate sources of power to provide light and communication during a crisis. They will work with local utility companies to restore heating as quickly as possible and emergency response teams to provide alternative sources of heat (e.g. blankets).

In buildings where available, the alternate sources of power, such as generators and

batteries, should be tested every month. If a building should lose electrical power, heat,

water pressure or telephone service, take the following steps:

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Immediate Actions

1. Determine the extent of the problem. Is it local or widespread?

2. Determine as best as you can how long the problem will last.

3. Determine if classes can continue without the specific utility.

4. Notify administration/Superintendent.

5. Determine need for evacuation or Emergency evacuation plan.

6. If fire alarm is inoperable, institute Fire Watch (Building Administrator or designee

conducts a walk-through inspection of all affected areas every 30 minutes to detect

fire. A written report is kept).

7. Call the SVE Director of Facilities.

Improving Communication with Students

Spencer Van Etten Central School has a Prevention Program that improves communication between staff and students and addresses violence prevention through

classroom implemented activities and programs. The S-VE curriculum includes the following:

Character Education Programs

Personal

Safety

Tolerance

Diversity

Violence Prevention Bullying Others based on district needs

A pupil personnel team meets regularly to discuss students and families at risk. Dignity for

All Students Act will be implemented. Anonymous reporting procedures are included in

handbook and available in all buildings. Parents of identified at-risk children will be

promptly notified and team/parent discussions will ensue. A plan for monitoring of the child

shall be developed by the team/parents.

The annual Student/Parent Handbook and website shall communicate to parents and students,

the following:

Code of Conduct (Including public conduct on school

property) Parent-School Communication avenues

Student Support Services descriptions

Newsletters shall include articles and information relevant to raising community

awareness of conflict and violence and the effects of each in the home and the school.

Personnel Acting in a School Security Capacity

All school staff are fingerprinted, and their references are checked to the best of the district’s

ability. Hallway monitoring is done by all school staff whether it be teaching or support staff.

They have all been trained in student supervision. They are all given a copy of student

handbook and Code of Conduct.

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Informing all Educational Agencies

Depending upon the nature and extent of the disaster/emergency, the decision will be made

by the District Superintendent (in collaboration with the Director of Facilities if a Command

Post is established) to inform the following:

1. Transportation Supervisor

2. Spencer-Van Etten Elementary School

3. Spencer-Van Etten Middle School

4. Spencer-Van Etten High School

The District will notify the North Spencer Christian Academy of emergencies or

potential circumstances that could affect their school 589-6366.

Information about District

Staff Students Buses/Suburbans

Transportation 18 drivers 2 monitors 2 mechanics

19/5

S-VE Elementary 70* 366*

S-VE Middle School 61 289

S-VE High School 58 303

• Additional staff and students from Franziska Racker Centers and Head Start Program.

RECOVERY PHASE

Phase I Disasters and emergency situations can be devastating to students and staff. It is difficult to explain to children that some events in their lives cannot be predicted or controlled. Sometimes we aren't able to "fix" what has happened. We may not even be able to prevent it from happening again.

As adults (teachers and staff) it is important to....

• Cope with your own feelings such as helplessness, fear, anger (*mental

health team will hold staff debriefing and discuss staff needs and staff

involvement in the "recovery" phase).

• Communicate the feeling to students that "we will get through this

together." Be patient. Be available.

• Create a supportive soothing environment, but work on getting things back to "normal"

• Know the signs and symptoms of children who are experiencing

trauma:

....fear, worry, not settling back into a routine, changes in personal appearance, lack of appetite, distracted, preoccupied, irritable, depressed, crying, emotionally fragile, isolated, physically ill (headaches, stomach

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aches), drop in performance, lethargic, feeling and acting out of control. These symptoms are signs that the child needs to see a counselor. A teacher is likely to best know a child's normal behavior and thus may be first to see a “problem" behavior.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

EAP Counselor for staff (Dorothy Caldwell) 734-3014

Tioga County Mental Health Children’s Services (Hotline)

687-4000

Tioga County (Hotline after hours) 687-1010

Chemung County Children’s Services 737-5582

Chemung County 24 hr. hotline 737-5369

Phase II The Recovery Team of Mental Health Counselors will hold a debriefing session to get feedback from staff as to how the plan went and what improvements might need to be made.

Teaching Phase

After the signs and symptoms have been identified, the leader (with support from other

team members) will offer reassurance that these are normal reactions and may teach

additional signs and symptoms that may not have been expressed. It is during this phase

that information will be offered on positive coping methods, on issues specifically

. raised, and general information on stress management. The leader will also invite the

participants to ask any specific questions about the management of stress that they may

have.

Re-Entry Phase

This is the time to "wrap up loose ends," offer additional reassurance, answer any

outstanding questions, offer the opportunity for participants to say anything they did not get a chance to say, and give the participants the opportunity to restate anything they may

have said before. It is also during this phase that the leader may wish to bring out an emotion that he/she feels is present but, as yet, has not been expressed.

During this phase, the participants may wish to develop a “plan of action.” They may

wish to develop a preventive program, determine what they would like to do to make

things better, or investigate information and educational resources. The team members

will provide support for their decision and offer guidance and information.

Post Debriefing Activities/Meeting

After the debriefing has ended, the team will remain to talk to the participants and assist

them in resolving any outstanding issues. They may also want to make note of anyone

they feel may need to be referred for additional services and will bring these persons to

the attention of the mental health team members if they feel such a suggestion would not

be well received or appropriate coming from them. The post debriefing time is critical in

establishing a feeling of normalcy, establishing a sense of continued trust and support

from the team, and for making sure that those who may need additional help and support

are given the appropriate resources.

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After the formal debriefing and post debriefing activities, the team members will meet

and discuss the debriefing strategy, any concerns, or issues. Recommendations for follow-

up services will be noted and the debriefing report will be completed by the team leader.

Fact Phase

During this phase, the leader will ask the members of the group to go around the circle

and state their name, what their role was and what happened. This will serve to

recreate the event and present the pertinent facts surrounding the incident.

If this proves to be especially difficult for a participant, acknowledge and validate

their feelings and move on to the next person.

When the circle gets to the peer support person and co-leaders, they will introduce

themselves and identify their level of emergency services involvement, and offer a

sense of identity and reassurance to the participants.

Thought Phase

This phase requires the participants to organize what they have seen and heard. The

leader will ask the participants to share their first "thoughts" and when they first

rea1ized they were thinking about the event. During this phase, the participants will be

taking the

information supplied during the fact phase and applying it to a more personal state

of thinking.

The leader will acknowledge, offer reassurance, and move on to the next participant.

No probing will take place.

Reaction Phase

After the process of taking the incident from the outer environment and into the cognitive, the leader will ask the participants to share their reactions to the incident.

He/she may ask them to describe what each sees as the worst part of this incident.

The leader will not probe except to get clarification on a specific issue. During this phase the peer support personnel will not talk, offer any reassurance, suggestions,

experiences, etc. The leader will facilitate this phase solely, unless s/he signals or requests assistance.

Symptom Phase

After the participants have been able to bring the impact of the event to a personal level and have been able to identify some personal reactions to it, the leader will then ask the

group to share information on any physical, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral signs or symptoms they may be experiencing, ie: “How did you know this event was different?

I know when something really gets to me, I do not sleep well and my stomach gets

upset."

The leader will want the participants to share items that happened, during or shortly

after the event, a few days later, and in the present.

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Introductory Phase

During this phase, the mental health professional team member will set the rules for the

debriefing, introduce himself or herself, .and give a brief description of what will take

place during the debriefing process. He/She will state the purpose of the debriefing and

the teams' involvement ie; "To try to help you deal with some thoughts and reactions you

may be experiencing and to give you information on how you can help yourself deal with

these issues. You may be able to work through this alone, but we have found that people

who go through the debriefing process, sleep, eat, perform their job, and fulfill home

responsibilities better, and that is what we want for you.”

NOTE: Before beginning the debriefing rules, information specific to the incident may

need to be discussed, and/or pictures, videos, etc. may need to be reviewed to refresh

memories if the incident happened a while ago.

Rules for the Debriefing

• You do not have to talk during the debriefing, but if you do, what you say may help reassure and support your colleagues.

• This meeting is strictly confidential. No notes will be taken and no recordings will be

made. It is important that a pact of trust be made among everyone present and

that no one will disclose any information about anyone or anything said during the debriefing.

• No breaks are to be taken during the debriefing process. If it is necessary to use the

facilities, please return to the group promptly afterwards.

• No one should talk for another. You may only comment about your own thoughts,

feelings and/or reactions.

• You do not need to say anything that may legally incriminate you, or offer

information that may be necessary for any investigation or litigation.

• No pagers are to be on and the company (or at least those participating) is to be out

of service.

• No one has rank during the debriefing process. "Everyone is equal."

• This is NOT a critique of the operation. We are NOT here to place blame.

• The Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team is not part of any

investigative agency. We are only interested in your well-being.

• Look around the room. If someone is there that should not be, please let the team

member conducting the debriefing know before the meeting begins. (This includes press and any others not directly involved in the incident.)

• Feel free to ask questions.

Lost Incident Stress Reactions After exposure to an intense unusual, or abnormal emergency event or situation (a critical incident). Some people may experience reactions that are out of the ordinary for them.

The event may create a stress response which disrupts the physical and psychological

process. Often these reactions appear immediately after the event, but they may appear

hours, weeks, or months later. Some of the more common reactions reported by

providers after involvement with a critical incident include:

PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL

nausea anxiety memory problems withdrawal

intestinal upset grief poor attention restlessness

fatigue guilt nightmares emotional outbursts

rapid heart rate denial intrusive images alcohol intake

chest pain fear hyper-alertness avoidance

difficulty breathing depression disorientation change in speech

shock symptoms panic poor problem solving change in appetite

muscle cramps apprehension poor decision making startle reflex

headaches disturbed thinking sleep disturbances blaming others

chills

This is not an inclusive list. Some people exposed to the same event may not suffer any effects

and this is also a normal reaction, while these reactions can be alarming and unsettling, it is

important to remember that they are normal reactions and that you are not unique to the

experience.

Some things you can do to help speed up the recovery process include:

1. EAT - Even if you do not feel like eating; try to eat something that has nutritional quality.

The stress reaction depletes energy levels, so it is important that we restore these levels to

keep the mind and body functioning normally. Try to stay away from caffeine and

sugar.

2. EXERCISE - Regular exercise is ideal for one's total health and well-being but it is

especially important to get some type of physical exercise within 24 hours of the event and

each day that the symptoms persist. One suggestion may be a brisk walk.

3. REST - Try to get plenty of rest. A common stress reaction is for people to try to “bury

themselves in work or an activity." This can be self-defeating physically and mentally. If you

find your sleep is interrupted, get up and replenish yourself. After a short period of time, you

should find you are able to return to bed and rest more comfortably.

4. TALK - It is important to share your thoughts and reactions about the event. Suppression

of thoughts and reactions may postpone or prolong the recovery process. Sharing is the

mind's way of replenishing itself. It is also important to share your reactions with loved

ones so that they may understand and assist you in your recovery.

If you find that your stress symptoms persist, get worse, or become more uncomfortable to you, you should consider contacting your physician or a competent mental health professional to assist you with the recovery process.

Documents

Spencer Van Etten District Wide - svecsd.org Safety Plan for Public Comments.pdf · • Call 911 to activate the emergency law enforcement, fire, and medicalresponse systems • The